Extremely high sedimentation and discolouration of the Slocan River and two nearby creeks have prompted warnings by regional government.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay investigated the creek and river making assessments by helicopter Saturday afternoon. They determined “intense” rains on Friday caused mudslides on Gwillim Creek and Mulvey Creek contributing to the murky water, reports Brian Carruthers, chief administrative officer.
“The slides have not blocked the creeks and the water is currently flowing freely through the slide areas,” he says. “There are no threats to infrastructure or public safety as a result of these slides.”
However, Carruthers reminds people to be observant for discolouration and extreme fluctuations in water levels during and after significant rain events as they can be indicators of potentially dangerous slides or debris flows on rivers and streams.
Users on the Slocan community water system are asked to conserve water in the coming days, even after the water has cleared. Residents who draw their water from the Slocan River should also be aware of the increased turbidity levels.
“It is anticipated that it may take a number of days for the sedimentation to diminish in both creeks and the Slocan River,” says Carruthers.