Community Update 12: Place Glacier Hazard Community Townhall June 2

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) will host a hybrid in-person and virtual Townhall to share the latest updates regarding the Place Glacier Outburst Flood Hazard affecting the Gates Lake and Poole Creek communities in Electoral Area C.

The Townhall will include information about the emergency berm repair work, emergency response measures, advocacy efforts with the Province of British Columbia, and ongoing coordination with First Nations and partners ahead of the anticipated 2026 potential outburst flood hazard period.

Date: Tuesday, June 2
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Hybrid – attend in-person or virtually

• In-Person: 1350 Aster Street, Pemberton, BC, V0N 2L1
  • Please arrive ten minutes before the meeting starts so we can begin promptly

• Online via Microsoft Teams

  Join the meeting      Tips for attending a Virtual Teams Meeting

  • Meeting ID: 231 209 742 745 320
  • Passcode: Pg7xJ9iE
  • Dial in by phone  +1 437-703-1516
  • Phone conference ID: 128952630# 

Staff from the SLRD Protective & Emergency Services team and a technical experts from Stantec will provide updates, walk through the planned work and monitoring efforts, and respond to community questions. A representative from the Province of BC Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) and other subject matter experts will also be present along with SLRD Board Chair Jen Ford and Electoral Area C Director Russell Mack.

All interested residents are welcome to attend in person or via the virtual meeting link. No registration is required. A recording of the Townhall will be made available on the SLRD YouTube channel following the event.

Subscribe to email updates about the Place Glacier Debris Flood Hazard

To ensure you receive evacuation alerts and orders, sign up for the free SLRD Alert system to receive notifications by email, text message, or phone call: www.slrd.bc.ca/slrdalert

Members of the public are advised to exercise caution in the area:

• Avoid hazard zones – stay clear of steep gullies, alluvial fans, and historical/modelled debris flow paths. Geotechnical investigation may be warranted for future developments on the properties to ensure they are safe for the use intended.
• Stay alert during intense rainfall – debris flows often occur during or shortly after heavy storms. While the most frequent threat of landslide hazard in the area was determined to be from glacial outbursts, debris flows can occur during periods of sustained rainfall or rapid snowmelt.
• Have an evacuation plan – know the fastest route to higher ground and practice it.
• Listen to warnings – pay attention to local alerts from the SLRD, sirens, or weather bulletins.
• Do not camp in areas of identified debris flow hazard – avoid setting up tents in dry creek beds, ravines, or fan toes. Mapping provided in this report will support identification of hazardous areas on your property.
• Watch for natural warning signs – sudden rumbling, snapping trees, or increased sediment-laden water flow can signal an incoming debris flow. Know your evacuation plan.
• Move to higher ground immediately if you suspect a debris flow is coming — don’t wait for confirmation.
• Keep access routes clear – don’t block driveways or roads that emergency services might need.
• Create defensible space around properties – remove loose wood, debris, and objects that could be carried by flows.
• Educate your family and neighbors – ensure everyone knows the hazards and what to do in an emergency.

Thanks to all community members for their patience.