The city of Port Coquitlam is advising residents and businesses located within low-lying areas to be prepared for flooding.
On Wednesday, city staff visited 17 properties that are located outside the dike system that are at the most risk should flooding occur. Residents are being given flood preparedness materials and being told that if water levels on the Fraser River continue to rise, minor flooding could occur.
The spring surge of the lower Fraser River is expected to peak by Friday morning, and to continue running at high levels through the weekend as forecast rain adds to snow melt.
The B.C. River Forecast Centre expected peak flow volume to be reached Thursday at Mission, with a level of 6.38 m at the Mission gauge by late in the day. Due to tidal influences, the river is expected to continue to rise through the weekend, with daily peak levels of up to 6.75 m.
(As well, Environment Canada said a low-pressure system off the B.C. coast is expected to spread rain to the south coast by Friday and into the Interior by the weekend.)
The lower Fraser dike system is designed for river levels up to 8.89 m but the high water is raising flood risk in areas not protected by dikes. Residents of Barnston Island near Surrey were put on flood alert by local officials Thursday.
Properties along the Pitt and Coquitlam rivers could also see some flooding and water levels are expected to peak today (Friday).
In 2007, the city of PoCo used grants from the provincial government to upgrade many of the dikes in the municipality, raising them to approximately 5.5 m high.
Still, people who walk along the dikes are warned to use extreme caution as water levels are higher than usual and the current is moving fast.
The city of Coquitlam is also warning residents in low-lying areas about the possibility of flooding. The city website said staff have been monitoring status reports on the snow pack, river levels and dike conditions.
Should water levels rise to above 3 or 4 m, the city will respond by:
putting in stop logs to block Nelson and Como creeks to prevent flooding north of United Boulevard;
installing temporary pumps in streams to control creek flows;
sandbagging in certain areas to limit the extent of flooding and protect critical infrastructure;
and possible closing some roads.
The Kwikwetlem First Nation is also concerned about the rising water levels. A statement on its website said members were moving sandbags to some of the weaker areas of the dike system and around the pump house.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to visit the city websites (portcoquitlam.ca or coquitlam.ca) for up-do-date information on water levels.
- with files from Tom Fletcher, Black Press
