– May 31 2026 @ 2:30 pm
As of now, the community is still on a Flood Watch notice.
Staff continue to monitor the flood marker stakes. 13 homes are currently on a boil water notice, and the rest of the community remains on a water quality advisory.
View yesterday’s update for ways to stay prepared.
As river levels increase, we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and help remind each other, particularly children and youth, about the dangers associated with fast-moving water, unstable riverbanks, and changing conditions along the river corridor.
Update from BC River Forecast Centre:
Flood Watch – Upper Columbia (DOWNGRADE), Kootenay River (DOWNGRADE), Lardeau River (DOWNGRADE,) East Kootenay
High Streamflow Advisory – North Thompson (DOWNGRADE), West Kootenay (DOWNGRADE), Upper Fraser – East
ENDED – High Streamflow Advisory – South Thompson, Boundary
The River Forecast Centre is downgrade to or maintaining a Flood Watch for:
- Upper Columbia including tributaries around Golden and surrounding areas (DOWNGRADED)
- Kootenay River including tributaries around Kootenay National Park and the upper Kootenay River and surrounding areas (DOWNGRADED)
- Lardeau River (DOWNGRADED)
- East Kootenay areas south of Invermere, including tributaries around Fairmont Hotsprings, Fernie, Elkford, Kimberley and surrounding areas (MAINTAINED)
The River Forecast Centre is downgrading to or maintaining a High Streamflow Advisory for a:
- North Thompson River including tributaries around Blue River, Clearwater and surrounding areas (DOWNGRADED)
- West Kootenay including tributaries around Kaslo, Nakusp, Nelson, and surrounding areas (DOWNGRADED)
- Upper Fraser – East, including the Fraser River and tributaries from Prince George to McBride and Red Pass (MAINTAINED)
The River Forecast Centre is ending a High Streamflow Advisory for:
- South Thompson including tributaries around Malakwa, Sicamous and surrounding areas (ENDED)
- Boundary including headwater tributaries on the Granby River and surrounding areas (ENDED)
Weather Synopsis:
An upper-low pressure system is moving across Montana, bringing a large-scale wrap-around precipitation event across Alberta and B.C. While Alberta is expected to see the heaviest rainfall from this event, the eastern edge of B.C. is forecast to experience moderate to locally heavy rain from Sunday through to Tuesday. Environment and Climate Change Canada have issued special weather statements, indicating the potential for 40 to 80 mm of rainfall along areas closest to the Alberta border (Kootenay-Yoho, East Kootenay, Elk River). The heaviest rainfall is expected along mountainous terrain, particularly on north and east facing slopes. Temperatures are expected to drop from highs of previous days, with freezing levels dropping as low as 1600m. This will assist in reducing snowmelt rates compared with high rates of the past week.
River Conditions:
Most rivers through the region have reached peak levels due to accelerated snowmelt and earlier thunderstorm rain events. Rivers remain high, with 2-year to 10-year flows being currently observed through the Upper Columbia, East Kootenay, Lardeau River, North Thompson and Upper Fraser.
Rivers are expected to experience another rise Sunday through Tuesday due to moderate to heavy rainfall. Flows may reach or exceed 5-year to 10-year levels through areas which receive the heaviest rainfall, including Upper Columbia, East Kootenay and Elk Valley. Cooler temperatures will assist with reduced snowmelt runoff.
Fast-flowing rivers pose increased risk to safety. Stay away from rivers and river banks, which can be unstable. Never drive through floodwaters, as unseen hazards and current can be life-threatening.
The River Forecast Centre continues to monitor the conditions and will provide updates as conditions warrant.
For information on how to prepare for flood hazards, visit PreparedBC.
BC River Forecast Centre / Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
A High Streamflow Advisory means that river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but that no major flooding is expected. Fast-flowing bodies of water increase risk to life safety. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
A Flood Watch means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.
A Flood Warning means that river levels have exceeded bankfull or will exceed bankfull imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result.
