Flood Warnings and Advisories

MAINTAINED - High Streamflow Advisory – Cowichan River, Sproat/Somass River
ENDED – High Streamflow Advisory - Vancouver Island (Other Areas), South Coast

ISSUED: 2:30 PM January 13, 2021

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

• Sproat River and Somass River
• Cowichan River

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

• West Vancouver Island, Central Vancouver Island, East Vancouver Island and South Vancouver Island (areas other than noted above)
• South Coast including tributaries around the Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, Squamish, Pemberton, North Shore Mountains, Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley and surrounding areas

Heavy rainfall rates have eased throughout the region. Most rivers have reached peak levels and are now receding. In lake-fed areas, including the Sproat River and Cowichan River, flows still remain high as water works its way through the watershed; in these areas flows are expected to remain high into Thursday and recede into the weekend.

The public is advised to stay clear of the fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks during the high-streamflow period.

The River Forecast Centre continues to monitor the conditions and provides updates as conditions warrant.

Contact for Media Relations, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development:
Tel: 250 356-7506

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.