2007/2008 Nechako River Ice Jam Information
The City of Prince George urges people to avoid all areas along the Nechako and Fraser River affected by the ice jam and flooding. It is important that people understand that the rivers are unpredictable during this type of event. In the interests of safety the public is urged to stay away from river banks.
Where We Are Now
The lower end of the Nechako has an open water lead that has advanced to about seven kilometres, near the Foothills bridge. At the confluence, the ice rubble or plug is retreating and open water leads on the Fraser River are also growing as ice melts. The Nechako River is still ice covered from the Foothills area to about 33 kilometres upstream, near the Chilako River confluence (maximum length of cover had reached about 34 1/2 kilometres). In this 26 kilometre section numerous compressions have occurred; however, due to favourable weather conditions, open water leads are also growing as the river carves away and the ice “rots”.
Little or no frazil ice is being generated from upstream when the temperature warms up so the head of the ice cover isn’t advancing upstream. Ice compressions on the upstream section may cause some water level fluctuations in the Foothills Bridge and Morning Place areas, however overall water levels will continue decreasing slowly. Ice experts anticipate little probability (not zero) that the upstream ice cover will totally fail and cause flooding at the Nechako confluence.
Warm Water Discharge
The Nechako and Fraser rivers are still covered for many kilometers with surface ice that forms each winter. The seven kilometer open channel in the nower Nechako supported by the Warm Water Solution (WWS) has lowered water levels in the lower Nechako.
Information Updates
Information Session - Tuesday, February 12, 2008
- CIF Booklet (Edition 3)
- Ministry of Environment Presentation
- Nechako Watershed Council Presentation
- Alcan Presentation
Information Session - Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Information Session - Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Information Session - Tuesday, January 22, 2008
- City of Prince George Emergency Response and Recovery Plan Presentation
- City of Prince George Emergency Social Services Presentation
Recovery Areas
