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Regional flooding update
Elk Valley (RDEK – No municipal updates included here):
The Elk River has dropped about one metre overnight.
All evacuation orders remain in place at this time.
The Fernie Transfer Station has been closed due to water on the access to the facility. We have opened a temporary transfer station in the parking lot of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce.
The Reception Centre at the Fernie Curling Club for evacuees is open and will remain open throughout the day today.
BC Hydro has issued an alert for the Elko Dam. Water is high enough that it is circulating over the bank and causing erosion on the side of the dam and bank. The main concern is losing containment of the reservoir, which would result in a release of water to the downstream area at the outlet of the Elk River to Lake Koocanusa (pictured above). In the worst case this would result in an additional 1 to 1.5 metres which is negligible considering the current level of the water. If that were to happen, there is also a concern that a decrease in water running through the dam could affect the powerhouse, which would take some weeks to get back into operation. All inquiries regarding the dam situation should be directed to Mary Anne Coules at 250-608-1885.
Columbia Valley:
Both Fairmont Creek and Cold Spring Creek are down considerably, are running clearer and are within their channels;
Culverts in and around Fairmont are clear of debris at this time and are being monitored;
The evacuation order remains in place for the Hoodoo Resort Campground and surrounding residences.
Equipment will continue to work on site at Dutch Creek today reinforcing the bank.
We have also had a number of reports from people that there are washouts of roads and bridges in the backcountry on backcountry and Forest Service roads, particularly in the Whiteswan and Canal Flats areas. Extreme caution is recommended for anyone using backroads.
Loree Duczek/RDEK
