Community Update #23: Place Glacier Flood Hazard

The Place Glacier flood hazard continues to present a risk to public safety and the Evacuation Order for affected properties in the Gates Lake and Poole Creek area remains in effect.
While this event has behaved differently than anticipated, there is no indication that the hazard has diminished. Monitoring estimates indicate that the current volume of water within the Place Glacier lake system is greater than the volume that existed before the 2024 outburst flood. The flood hazard remains significant and unpredictable, and the timing of any outburst cannot be determined.

The latest LiDAR survey, completed on July 13, shows no net change in the lake surface elevation since the previous survey on July 5, 2026. However, the survey confirms that water continues to be stored within the glacier system as evidenced by uplift of the glacier surface adjacent to the lake. 

The SLRD increased its monitoring capabilities by installing an additional water level sensor at the monitoring weir. This instrumentation supplements two cameras monitoring the lake surface and together affords the ability to detect changing conditions and provide timely notification should an outburst begin. Based on imagery from cameras near the lake margin, there is some evidence for lowering of the ice and surface elevations over the past 36 hours.

Currently, monitoring at the weir does not show evidence of an outburst; it is likely that some outflow from the glacier is occurring, but its magnitude is not usual and consistent with high flows driven by seasonal snow and ice melt. If leakage is occurring it is minimal and currently does not pose a notable flood hazard.

The SLRD recognizes the significant impact the Evacuation Order has had on affected residents and the toll caused by the ongoing uncertainty. The Order is actively reviewed with technical experts as new monitoring data and scientific information become available. These reviews consider the likelihood of an outburst, its potential consequences, and the SLRD’s ability to detect changing conditions, notify residents and support a safe evacuation.

The SLRD Emergency Operations Centre continues to monitor conditions with technical experts. If monitoring equipment and observations indicate that flood waters have begun moving downstream through Place Creek, the SLRD will:

• Issue an advisory through SLRD Alert, the SLRD website, email updates, and social media. 
• Assess conditions in Place Creek, Poole Creek, infrastructure, and nearby properties in coordination with technical experts and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. 
• Determine whether additional emergency response measures are required based on observed conditions. 
• Conduct rapid damage assessments once peak flows have subsided to support response and recovery efforts. 

Residents and members of the public are reminded to stay away from Place Creek, Poole Creek, Gates Lake, and all nearby water channels. Please do not travel to the area to observe conditions. Dangerous conditions may develop with little warning and may include fast-moving water, debris flooding, erosion, and unstable streambanks.

The SLRD recognizes the ongoing impact this event and the associated emergency measures have had on affected residents. We recognize the toll this uncertainty has taken and appreciate the community for its continued patience and cooperation as this situation evolves. Updates will be provided when there is new information to share. 

The following emergency measures are currently in effect:

• Evacuation Order issued at 10:00 a.m. on June 25, 2026
• Declaration of State of Local Emergency (SOLE)

Find timely updates about this event and ensure you receive all emergency notifications:

• Sign up for the free SLRD Alert at www.slrd.bc.ca/alert to receive emergency notifications directly by phone, text message, or email. 
• Subscribe to Place Glacier Hazard email updates
• Review the Place Glacier Outburst Flood Hazard project page on the SLRD’s website.
• Follow the SLRD on Facebook and Instagram.