Revelstoke RCMP said they received word of a vehicle in the Columbia River the evening of March 22.
The following day, Black Press went to look and took these photos of two vehicles left. One was on the river bank and leaking oil, the other was in the river.
The RCMP said the water level in the river raised rapidly, which submerged the vehicles.
According to BC Hydro, the generation of electricity at the Revelstoke Dam by BC Hydro does significantly impact the flow of the Columbia River around the Highway 1 bridge in Revelstoke. The amount of water flowing out of the dam can fluctuate rapidly and quickly.
Jen Walker-Larson, communications for BC Hydro, said the area beneath the Highway 1 bridge is closed to motorized use. She continued that motorized use of the Arrow Lakes Reservoir flats is not permitted from the dam downstream to the Illecillewaet River. However, it is allowed south of the river to Drimmie Creek at 12-mile.
She said that area is not influenced by Revelstoke dam discharge as much and water levels fluctuate more gradually. However, BC Hydro does ask for users to stay on existing trails.
The RCMP said it’s uncommon for vehicles to be abandoned in the Columbia River and that arrangements are being made for towing.
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