BURST
Floodwaters from a glacial lake northeast of Pemberton have begun flowing, leading to a renewed warning to avoid the area that has been under an evacuation order for weeks.
Two dozen properties in the Poole Creek and Gates Lake area were evacuated on June 20, and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District gave an update on the situation over the weekend.
Technical experts warn that “outburst floodwater levels have not yet reached their expected peak, with the highest flows anticipated to build within the next 18 to 36 hours.”
The waters are flowing downstream from the Place Glacier at Gates Lake. Officials had warned flows are expected to be comparable to a 2024 outburst flood and greater than those recorded during last year’s event.
After the 2024 floods, heavy equipment was brought into the area to direct floodwaters along Place Creek but engineers warned the risk of flooding and avulsion — the redirection of streams into new channels — would continue without more extensive work.
The regional district said “floodwaters are now moving down Place Creek in Electoral Area C near Poole Creek and Gates Lake. Stay away from Place Creek, Poole Creek, Gates Lake and all nearby water channels.
“Dangerous conditions may develop with little warning and may include fast-moving water, debris, erosion and unstable stream banks. Do not travel to the area to observe conditions.”
Ground assessments were conducted on the weekend and will continue on Monday.
Though a culvert at Poole Creek Road has rising water levels, there are no travel restrictions for the area and the district is keeping watch over the situation along with the Ministry of Transportation. The most up-to-date information on road impacts is available at DriveBC.ca .
Any evacuees who need help during the local emergency can contact the regional district’s emergency operations centre at 604-384-7357.
With files from Cheryl Chan