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Fraser River rises quickly with snowmelt, rain

River Forecast Centre issues high streamflow advisory

The Fraser River is rising fast as a result of rapid snowmelt from last week's hot weather as well as rain since then.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre on Monday issued a high streamflow advisory for the Fraser in the Lower Mainland, as well as further upstream in Quesnel, the Fraser Canyon and at Hope

The Fraser was flowing at 9,000 cubic metres per second at Hope as of Monday and that was forecast to reach 10,000 as early as Wednesday and potentially 11,500 by Thursday.

"Given current rates of rise in tributary channels, and we weather yesterday and today, model results may be underestimating the rate of rise in the Lower Fraser," the forecast centre cautioned.

A high streamflow advisory means river levles are expected to rise rapidly, and although minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible, no major flooding is expected.

– Jeff Nagel