What Is Being Done
There have been a number of activities initiated to deal with the flooding. They include:
- continuous monitoring along the river;
- ongoing pumping water from affected areas;
- use of the Amphibex;
- implementation of warm water and ground water solutions.
As well, there have been many thousands of sandbags provided to affected property owners, many kilometers of gabion diking placed in key areas and the construction of road berms in areas that are below the 200 year flood plain.
The Amphibex
This unit was brought to Prince George from Montreal by Eco Technologies of New Brunswick. It is designed to break up ice jams and move ice to areas where it can be managed. The 37-foot-long vessel uses a back-hoe like shovel to break and move ice carving a channel about 30 metres wide.
Warm Water Solution
Work continues to have a 2.7 kilometer pipeline bring warm water from the steam plant at Canfor’s Intercon pulp mill into the channel of the Nechako. The warm water will be mixed with cooler ground water to bring it to 15° Celsius. The difference in temperature between the river water, at 1° Celsius and the warmer piped water is expected to soften and melt the ice and thereby maintain an open channel.
Well Water Solution
Well water which is a few degrees warmer than the river water is being pumped into the river to assist in the opening of a channel in the ice jam.
The Amphibex mechanically breaks up the ice to open a channel allowing ice to flow away from the main jam. Warm water is piped into the area near the main jam to keep the water channel open. With the open channel, when ice movement occurs in the Nechako, the ice and water surge can move into the Fraser River. Without that open channel the ice and water causes surges against the dikes and rising groundwater. Removing this ice will also help mitigate spring freshet flows and allow higher future river flows to move into the Fraser. With seasonable weather it is hoped the two projects will combine to break up the ice jam that has been in place since December 11.
Road Berms
On December 31st and January 6th, river water levels exceeded the 200 year flood plain levels and in response the Emergency Operations Centre decided to construct earth berm diking in the Ongman Road and River Road areas and in some key areas, during the peak of flooding.
The River Road berm will stay in place until a permanent solution has been devised which is dependent on the long term study that is currently being negotiated between the City and the Province. The berm was a City street which has been raised and is built to current Transportation Association standards, and is considered safe.
Response Maps
River System from John Hart Bridge to Canfor Pulp Mills
Lower Nechako Protection Works
Orange lines are Gabion diking.
Morning Place Protection Works
Orange lines are Gabion diking.