The River Forecast Centre is upgrading to a Flood Warning for the Upper Columbia, including tributaries around Golden. Rivers have been rising due to accelerated snowmelt this week. Convective rain earlier in the week demonstrated how responsive rivers are to rainfall in areas of the Kootenays. High flows are expected Saturday through Monday or Tuesday across the region. Very high river levels are already present due to high snowmelt rates this week, with flows having already exceeded the 10-year return period flows on the Blaeberry River and Spillimacheen River.
The Golden and Area Emergency Program continues to monitor the situation, and we will provide updates as necessary.
We would like to remind residents to use extra caution in and around the rivers during this time:
- Stay away from rivers and riverbanks as fast-moving water can cause erosion and destabilization.
- Keep pets away from fast-moving water.
- Never drive through floodwaters, as unseen hazards and current can be life-threatening.
The River Forecast Centre continues to monitor conditions and will provide updates as conditions warrant.
Have you signed up for Alertable yet? Alertable is a free mass notification system to help you stay safe, plan ahead and be in the know before and during an emergency or evacuation. Residents of Golden and Area A can sign up now at www.csrd.bc.ca/alertable