SNOWPACK AND WATER SUPPLY BULLETIN

VICTORIA – At the peak of snow accumulation in mid-April, much of British Columbia had near normal snowpacks, with a few areas above normal, such as the Peace and the south, central and north coasts. However, as a result of one of the coldest Aprils in the last 50 years, spring snowmelt has been delayed, and additional snow has accumulated.

As of May 1, basin snow water indicators range from a low of 99 per cent of normal in the mid Fraser, to near 120 per cent of normal on Vancouver Island and along coastal drainages. The Upper Fraser River basin and the Peace River are both at 116 per cent of normal, and the North Thompson is at 114 per cent. Most other basins, including the Nechako, Mid Fraser, South Thompson, Columbia, Kootenay, Okanagan, and Similkameen, are near normal.

The Fraser River snow index, which includes all of the river’s major water-producing areas, from its headwaters down to Mission, is 107 per cent of normal, up from 102 per cent on April 1.

As of May 1, snow conditions are likely to produce near normal or slightly above normal volumes in major rivers as the snow melts from now through to July. These snow conditions provide a positive outlook for water supplies in most of the province, including community water supplies, instream flows, groundwater and aquifers.

Cold spring weather and the resulting delay in snowmelt could also result in above normal water levels on rivers in the major Interior basins in late May and June (Upper Fraser, North Thompson, South Thompson, Shuswap Lake, Skeena, Bulkley, Nass, Kootenay, Columbia and others). If spring weather conditions are near normal (i.e., not unusually wet or unusually hot) there is low likelihood of flooding on major rivers. The forecast for the Fraser River at Hope is a peak discharge in June that could meet last year’s peak discharge of 11,000 cubic metres per second.

Flooding on Vancouver Island and other coastal drainage areas, such as areas surrounding the South Coast mountains, is unlikely, as high flows in these areas typically result from fall and winter rain storms – not spring snowmelt.

Environment Minister Barry Penner says the B.C. government is working to reduce risks by funding a $100-million, 10-year flood protection program and by expanding the network of "early warning" hydrometric monitoring stations on water courses across the province. During the first year of the program, 40 projects with a total value of nearly $10 million were approved.

The Ministry of Environment’s River Forecast Centre (RFC) monitors snowmelt, weather and streamflow conditions. The RFC produces forecasts of river discharge and water levels, and releases advisories and warnings as conditions warrant. For more information, visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/rfc/

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Media contact:	Kate Thompson Manager, Media Relations Ministry of Environment 250 953-4577

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