The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development has issued a flood watch for Upper Columbia, which includes Golden, Donald, and other surrounding areas along the Columbia River mainstream.
The heat wave that has hit the province over the past few days has led to accelerated snowmelt rates from high elevation terrain from the Rocky Mountain and Columbia Mountains. The rapid snowmelt has caused river levels to rise, with many gauged rivers in the region currently flowing between 5‐ year and 20‐year return period levels, according to the ministry.
Both the Kicking Horse and Columbia Rivers are expected to continue rising over the next few days.
The Ministry says that the Blaeberry is receding as they exhibit a diurnal pattern, but are expected to rise higher tonight and into Tuesday morning.
The public is advised to stay clear of the fast‐flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks during the high‐streamflow period.
With the increased river flow, the Town of Golden is reminding residents to exercise caution around river banks as fast-moving water can cause erosion and destabilization of river banks, warn children about the dangers of fast-moving water, especially if you live near the river and to keep pets away from fast-moving water.
The upcoming forecast has three more warmer days ahead for Golden with maximum temperatures of 37°C on Monday, and 38°C for both Tuesday and Wednesday. Watersheds with remaining snowpack or glacial input will likely continue to rise into Thursday morning, at least.
