Freshet levels are almost exactly where they should be for this time of year, according to the latest data from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB).
The Boundary Freshet Dashboard was showing water levels at about 97 per cent of normal levels, with no reports of large-scale flooding for this year.
Water levels are expected to decrease in the next seven days as snow melt decreases and there is little rain forecasted for the next seven days.
This is in keeping with the Boundary Region’s snowpack at 82 per cent of normal, according to the latest Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin, from the province’s Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. While the region seems to be well-situated for water and snowpack levels, British Columbia’s snow pack is lower than normal, sitting at about 71 per cent, one-third below normal levels for the date of May 1.
The April 1 snow pack was 79 per cent of normal, with the province's figures having been below normal in much of this past winter. It was 66 per cent normal as of May 1, 2024.
Taking a look at other regions, The only one with above average snowpack was the Liard region in northern British Columbia. There, the snow pack on May 1 was 128 per cent of normal levels.
The East Kootenays were at 62 per cent, West Kootenay at 73 per cent and Upper Columbia regions were at 76 per cent.
The South Coast’s snow pack was 74 per cent of normal, while the Central Coast had a snow pack of 44 per cent of normal. Vancouver Island’s snow pack was 70 per cent of normal.
The Okanagan region’s snow pack was at 67 per cent of normal, while the Similkameen Valley was at 49 per cent of normal.
The snow pack is at zero per cent of normal in the Upper Fraser West region and five per cent of normal in the Skagit region, making them the driest areas.
Snow melt is happening earlier than normal due to above-average temperatures, according to the report. Precipitation was also lower throughout much of the province.
The forecast for May calls for wetter than normal weather in parts of northern B.C., but drier conditions in the southern part of the province.
The low snow pack, early melt and warm seasonal weather forecasts mean the risk of drought is elevated this year.
“There are concerns for drought this season throughout the province due to long-term precipitation deficits, low snowpack and seasonal weather forecasts,” the report states. “Spring weather will continue to play an important role in summer drought conditions.”
The risk of flooding is still prevalent even with the low snow levels. May and June are typically wet months throughout the B.C. Interior with flood season extending into July in the Rockies and Northeast.
