Dam in Chilcotin River will be overtaken by water within hours: B.C. officials
![Chilcotin River A landslide along the Chilcotin River near Williams Lake, B.C. is shown in this Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 handout photo. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chief Willie Sellars)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/8/3/chilcotin-river-1-6988467-1722702066642.jpg)
Water is expected to start flowing over a landslide-created dam in the Chilcotin River Sunday night or early Monday morning, according to an update from officials.
The Ministry of Emergency Management issued an information bulletin with the updated timeline, while repeating its plea for people to avoid the river between Hanceville and the confluence of the Fraser River.
“People are also advised to stay away from the banks of the Fraser River. Planning continues to address potential impacts of debris as it relates to public safety,” the statement says.
“Risks to public safety include the potential for further landslides upstream of the natural dam and downstream of the dam once water begins to flow past it.”
Since July 30, minimal water has seeped through the massive obstruction – which is estimated at 30 metres deep, 1,000 metres long and 600 metres wide – and water levels behind the dam have been steadily rising by about 18 centimetres per hour.
However, modelling shows that the water is not likely to suddenly burst through the dam, which provincial officials have said would have been the worst-case scenario.
Officials say the best—and most likely—scenario is that it will take 12 to 24 hours for the water to move past the blockage. That would result in water levels below typical spring flooding on the Fraser River, but flows would still exceed freshet peaks on the Chilcotin.
"Ultimately, this is an encouraging development for communities downstream,” Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said at a news conference Saturday.
“Though similar to elevation of heights during freshet flows, the water will react differently, with greater momentum and force, than a gradual increase in water levels,” Sunday’s bulletin reads.
Updated modelling now shows that in the case the lake behind the dam drains rapidly, within an hour, flows would be higher than what was predicted Saturday. The latest bulletin says water levels would be “significantly higher” on the Chilcotin River and at or below spring snowmelt flows on the Fraser.
“In this scenario, the water in the Chilcotin River could potentially rise to 21 metres at the Farwell Canyon bridge and 12 metres where the Chilcotin River meets the Fraser River,” the statement reads.
An evacuation order for 60 parcels of land along the northernmost part of the Chilcotin remains in effect, and officials asked people to stay away from the banks of the Fraser.
Members of the public have also been urged not to fly drones in the landslide area. The BC Wildfire Service issued an NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) on Friday, which makes using any aircraft in the area not part of landslide response illegal.
"For the safety of the air crew and of the public we are asking everyone to stay clear of the area both on the ground and in the airspace. This is extremely dangerous, and poses a threat to both the people that re-enter the area and experts who are assessing the situation on the ground,” Ma said Saturday.
Officials reiterated Sunday that the landslide could impact spawning salmon in the area, and said they are planning mitigation efforts.
The province has also created a new, online portal dedicated to sharing information about the landslide and the response by provincial and local officials.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7030292.1725878500!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Air Canada begins preparations for shutdown due to 'inflexible' union demands
Air Canada is finalizing plans to suspend most of its operations, likely beginning Sunday, as talks with the pilot union are nearing an impasse over 'inflexible' wage demands, the country's largest airline said on Monday.
Former fashion tycoon Peter Nygard's long-delayed sentencing expected today
Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard is expected to be sentenced for his sexual assault convictions today, after multiple delays in the case that have stretched for months.
Hunt widens for man who allegedly threw scalding coffee on baby
A man wanted for allegedly throwing scalding coffee on a baby in an unprovoked attack at a park in the northern Australian state of Queensland is now the subject of an international manhunt.
Sudbury police continue to investigate teen's disappearance 11 years later
Wednesday marks 11 years since Sudbury teen Meagan Pilon was reported missing and police are appealing to the public again for information.
Trial begins over Texas 'Trump Train' highway confrontation
A federal trial is set to begin Monday over claims that supporters of former U.S. president Donald Trump threatened and harassed a Biden-Harris campaign bus in Texas four years ago, disrupting the campaign on the last day of early voting.
WATCH LIVE PWHL unveils team nicknames and logos entering women's hockey league's second season
In a process nearly a year in the making, the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Monday unveiled the nicknames and logos for each of its six franchises entering its second season.
A golden eagle has attacked a toddler and 3 others in Norway
A young golden eagle attacked a toddler in Norway, clawing her so badly that she needed stitches, in what an ornithologist says is likely the bird's fourth such attack on humans in the past week.
Justin Trudeau may be in for an earful as he meets with caucus in B.C.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may be bracing for an earful from his caucus when Liberal MPs gather in Nanaimo, B.C. today to plot their strategy for the coming election year.
WATCH LIVE @ 12 EDT Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau memorial livestreamed on Monday
Family and friends of the Gaudreau brothers will say goodbye at a private funeral service Monday.