On June 19, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. the River Forecast Centre issued a Flood Watch for the Upper Columbia and tributaries. In the Upper Columbia, the heaviest rainfall forecasted for Friday and Saturday is expected to lead to high flows later Friday, through into Sunday:
Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Flood Watch – Upper Columbia, East Kootenay, Chilcotin Region, Homathko River
High Streamflow Advisory – Peace Region
Issued: 12:00 PM June 19, 2025
The River Forecast Centre is issuing a Flood Watch for:
• Upper Columbia and tributaries
• East Kootenay
• Middle Fraser/Chilcotin region tributaries draining from the Coast Mountains east of Lillooet and Williams Lake
• Homathko River
The River Forecast Centre is issuing a High Streamflow Advisory for the BC Interior, including tributaries in the:
• Peace Region, including areas around Hudson’s Hope, Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and surrounding areas
Weather Synopsis:
A low-pressure system is expected to bring wrap-around precipitation from Alberta across the BC interior on Thursday through Sunday. On Thursday, wet weather will be predominantly in the Peace region and extended west across the Williston Basin.
On Friday and Saturday, heavy rain is forecasted for southeastern BC in the Rocky Mountains, Purcell Mountains, and across to the typical lee side of the Coast Mountains in west-central and south-western BC.
The flow of moisture during this event will be from the east, creating the potential for enhanced upslope rainfall on the eastern slopes of mountain ranges (Rocky Mountains, Purcells, Selkirks, Cascades, Coast Mountains). Wet weather will continue into Sunday with easing rainfall rates.
River Conditions:
Rivers are expected to rise rapidly on Thursday and Friday in the Peace region in response to rainfall. In the Upper Columbia, East Kootenay and eastern Coast Mountains, the heaviest rainfall on Friday and Saturday is expected to lead to high flows later Friday through into Sunday.
Current modelling is indicating the possibility of flows reaching or exceeding the 5-year to 20-year return period range in areas receiving the highest rainfall totals. Uncertainty remains high for rainfall amounts from now through the weekend.
If rainfall amounts reach the high-end scenario of current weather modelling, then flows in the 5- to 20-year return period range or potentially even higher may result.
The River Forecast Centre continues to monitor the conditions and will provide updates as conditions warrant.
For information on how to prepare for flood hazards, visit PreparedBC.
BC River Forecast Centre – Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
• A High Streamflow Advisory means that river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but that no major flooding is expected. Fast-flowing bodies of water pose a risk to life safety. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
• A Flood Watch means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.
• A Flood Warning means that river levels have exceeded bankfull or will exceed bankfull imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to the affected rivers will result.
(View the full advisory here: https://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/…/FWT_2023_06_19_1200_BCInt… )
The Golden and Area Emergency Program Coordinator is monitoring the situation, and we will provide updates if necessary and when available.
With the potential for increased river flow, we would like to remind residents to use extra caution in and around the rivers during this time:
Exercise caution around riverbanks as fast-moving water can cause erosion and destabilization of riverbanks.
Warn children about the dangers of fast-moving water, especially if you live near the river.
Keep pets away from fast-moving water.
The River Forecast Centre continues to monitor the conditions and will provide updates as conditions warrant.
Have you signed up for Alertable yet? Alertable is a free mass notification system to help you stay safe, plan ahead and be in the know before you go during an emergency or evacuation. Residents of Golden and Area A can sign up now at www.csrd.bc.ca/alertable
