Flood Warnings and Advisories

High Streamflow Advisory – Boundary, West Kootenay, East Kootenay (Maintained), Okanagan (New), Similkameen (New)
UPDATED: 12:15 PM April 10, 2023

The River Forecast Centre is issuing a High Streamflow Advisory for:

• Okanagan, mainly smaller and lower elevation creeks
• Similkameen, mainly smaller and lower elevation creeks

The River Forecast Centre is maintaining a High Streamflow Advisory for:

• Boundary Region, including Grand Forks
• West Kootenay, including tributaries into Arrow Lakes, Slocan Lake and Kootenay Lake
• East Kootenay, including the Elk Valley near Fernie

Weather Synopsis:
A frontal system is impacting the South Interior and is expected to stall over the Kootenay region today (April 10) and bring basin-wide, prolonged rainfall until Tuesday morning (April 11). Rainfall amounts are forecast to reach 30 to 50 mm across the regions. Freezing levels are expected to rise between 2,000 to 2,500 metres. Lower precipitation amounts are forecast for the Okanagan and Similkameen basins, but given their geographic location, they may be impacted by the upcoming storm.

River Conditions:
Seasonal to below seasonal temperatures and dry conditions have persisted through late winter and early spring. River flows in the South Interior are currently below normal as the freshet snowmelt season has yet to significantly begin. The upcoming moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to cause flashy rises in creeks and rivers in the region. Smaller, low elevation creeks with remaining snowpack are most at risk. These rain-on-snow events have a high amount of uncertainty based on rainfall totals, ripeness of the snowpack to melt and the fluctuation of the freezing level.

Conditions are expected to be dynamic throughout the weekend with periods of rapid river rises. Fast-flowing rivers pose increased risk to life safety.

The River Forecast Centre continues to monitor the conditions and will provide updates as conditions warrant.
For information on how to prepare for flood hazards, visit PreparedBC .

Contact for Media Relations, Ministry of Forests:
Tel:  778-698-8453

Levels of Warnings/Advisories:

1. High Streamflow Advisory: River levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but that no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible. This is the lowest level.
2. Flood Watch: River levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur. This is the intermediate level.
3. Flood Warning: River levels have exceeded bankfull or will exceed bankfull imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result. This is the highest level.