With many parts of the province under water, the Kicking Horse River has begun to visibly rise.
Although it is more visually concerning, Town of Golden emergency program coordinator Kyle Hale says it is the Columbia River that could affect homeowners.
“The Kicking Horse obviously is the really dramatic one because we see it rise,” Hale said. “Homeowners who have experienced flooding from the Columbia should be prepared for that again this year.”
Typically, the first week of June is when the Kicking Horse is at it’s peak levels, explained Town of Golden CAO Jon Wilsgard.
“It’s the Columbia that brings the overall water table up. They are two totally different rivers with two totally different consequences for high water levels,” he said.
At this time, the British Columbia River Forecast Centre has no advisories, watches, or warnings for the Town of Golden or the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Area A. The Town has a “comprehensive emergency management program” in partnership with the regional district, and is monitoring the hazards that could affect the community.
“Typically we’re still three weeks away from high water, if this water trend continues, and we’re supposed to have hot weather all week… weather forecasting beyond a week, we just sit and wait,” Hale said. “Flood mapping has been done. We can predict with some certainties where the water would go.”
If water levels in the Kicking Horse became dangerously high, it could affect the dike system that is in place.
“If the water overtops the dike, what will the erosion do to the bank?” Hale questioned. “There are plans in place as far as evaluating residential areas. We’re putting far more effort into the dike infrastructure upgrades, which are going to deal with our identified weak points in the dike. We’d definitely be a way lower risk of having the dike infrastructure compromised for sure.”
Construction on the dike infrastructure project is expected to begin in 2019, and be completed by 2020. The $5.87 million grant will help Golden to move forward with long-anticipated upgrades to the most vulnerable sections of the Kicking Horse River dike, and reduce the effects of flooding on residents and businesses along the river.
Since the spring freshet usually brings higher water levels at the beginning of June, Hale says this is the right time to start thinking and preparing in case of an emergency situation. It is a good idea for people and families to prepare themselves, their pets, and livestock for at least 72 hours after an emergency occurs.
Although Hale and Wilsgard say they don’t anticipate emergency flooding levels, it is always a good idea to have a plan in place. Residents in the flood zones can expect to use their sump pumps again this summer, as the spring freshet comes down from the mountains. There is still a considerate amount of snow in the alpine, but Wilsgard said that is not necessarily a bad thing, as it seems to be melting down slowly.
“Typically the Kicking Horse has plenty of capacity for the snow melt,” Hale explained. “We’re definitely watching it. Golden typically has high flows in June. This is early for the water to be at this level for sure.”
Updates about water levels will be posted on the Town of Golden website at www.golden.ca, and the Town of Golden Facebook page.
