Update: July 25, 2024:
Technical specialists continued their initial assessments of the Place Glacier and Poole Creek areas on Wednesday, July 24.
- There is significant rerouting of water channels as a result of the event that saw a high volume of water flowing from the vicinity of Place Glacier into Poole Creek on Sunday, July 21.
- There is no structure damage, however riverbanks at Poole Creek and Place Creek have eroded, due to debris movement. Gates Lake is running high, and has very limited over-access capacity, however it does appear to be draining. We are aware that this a sensitive fish habitat and salmon-bearing stream, and we are coordinating with all appropriate agencies.
- Poole Creek road was damaged, during this event, and has been repaired.
- Stantec has been contracted to conduct a fulsome assessment of the new water channels, drinking water and future flood risk, and to identify potential next steps for possible remediation.
- This complex process could take several weeks and involves geohazard assessment, hydrological assessments, and hydrotechnical assessments.
- The SLRD will have a better understanding of the full implications and potential need for long-term remediation, once we receive the Stantec report, and will update the community when more information becomes available.
- We know that Gates Lake is running quite high and there is the potential for additional localized, low-level flooding during significant rainfall events.
- We continue to ask community members to avoid new water channels, dislodged boulders and debris and to use caution during periods of rainfall. There may be new hazards in the area that have not been identified.
- Community members who draw their drinking water from local creeks and streams are advised to maintain an adequate alternative drinking water supply for the coming days.
- The SLRD has activated its Emergency Operations Centre in response to this event and continues to coordinate with Lil’wat Nation, N'quatqua Nation and the appropriate provincial and federal agencies.
On Sunday, July 21, a sudden and high volume of water flowed from the vicinity of Place Glacier into Poole Creek, in Electoral Area C of the SLRD, causing flooding at the valley bottom and significant diversion of existing creeks and streams.
The SLRD was advised by residents of the localized flooding on Monday, July 22. We Coordinated with the provincial Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and the Ministry of Forests and engaged the services of the Pemberton Valley Dyking District (PVDD) to conduct aerial and ground assessments of the area. This work took place on Monday and Tuesday.
The exact cause of this event is unknown, but it is presumed to be related to warm weather and rapidly melting glacier ice.
Technical specialists have been contracted to assess the situation and associated risks, to ensure public safety.
On Tuesday evening, Stantec Engineering, Cascade Environmental and Active Excavations Contracting removed the debris that was blocking the water flow through the creek and the bridge/ culvert that had been damaged badly was safely removed and flow was reinstated into the main creek bed.
Further aerial and ground assessments will take place today, Wednesday, July 24.
Community members are advised to stay away from new water channels, dislodged boulders and debris. Be especially careful during periods of rainfall. There may be new hazards in the area.
Community members who draw their drinking water from local creeks and streams are advised to maintain and adequate alternative stock of drinking water for the coming days. It is currently unknown whether new water channels have diverted water away from existing sources of drinking water.
The SLRD will provide an update once the area has been surveyed and a full risk assessment has been completed.
We thank the community for their patience.