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Lake level dropping
The water level at Wasa Lake has dropped by three-quarters of an inch in the last 24 hours.
Both culverts at the south end of the lake appear to be flowing well and the water level in Cameron Pond has dropped a couple inches since yesterday (June 30).
The Kootenay River has risen slightly at Fort Steele (now 3.219 m), and the river has risen slightly at Kootenay Crossing (now 1.425 m), in Kootenay National Park. This is likely due to thundershowers and snowmelt.
Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) will be available at the Wasa Community Centre should anyone need sandbags. If there is no one there, numbers have been posted and left on the bulletin board.
The voluntary no boating request will remain in place over the weekend and will be reassessed on Tuesday.
“The reason we have asked for no boating on the lake is because of the number of homes and cabins that are being impacted by the high water and the potential for that water to create further impacts to those homes and cabins in addition to the 11 properties that have been sandbagged. We understand the desire for recreationalists to be able to be out on the Lake, but appreciate your cooperation in keeping boats off the lake as we deal with these unfortunate flood conditions,” the RDEK stated this morning (July 1).
Environment Canada reported June 28 that a heat wave is moving into the area.
Today (Monday, July 1) is supposed to be hot and dry and Tuesday is forecasted to be the hottest day.
Temperatures in the alpine are expected to be in the 20s and the freezing level will be over 4,000 metres.
The River Forecast Centre has re-analyzed the snowpack that impacts the Kootenay River and June 28 they reported that there is 150mm-170mm snow-water equivalent in the mountains.
The high temperatures being forecast may cause a rapid melt in that snowpack and they are now forecasting a potential 80cm rise in the Kootenay River in our area.
Under those conditions, the river would be elevated for approximately three days.
If that happens, the river could be about 0.5 metres below the height it reached last weekend.
Please click on an image to enlarge and to begin self-directed slide show. Photos courtesy Krista Nebloch
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