HISTORICAL NEWS SEARCH - Government of British Columbia

winds to Terrace, Kitimat, and Burns Lake. The storm damage in the Terrace area was estimated to amount to
$800,000. *1)
On September 29, the Kitimat River below Hirsch Creek recorded a maximum instantaneous discharge of
2,710 m 3 /s and a maximum daily discharge of 1,300 m 3 /s (Environment Canada 1991). Kitimat suffered flooding, as
sewers backed up and flooded basements. The intersection of Columbia Street and Yukon Street had up to 2 ft. (60
cm) of water on the road because of an overloaded drainage system. Hirsch Creek Park sustained severe erosion and in
the Cable Car area roads were undermined. The access and power to Kitamaat Village were cut. The Village road
washed out 2 mi. (3.2 km) past Minette Bay and a section of road at Minette Bay washed away. The bridge across
Wathl Creek went out, the third time this happened since 1965. It was swept down the creek into Douglas Channel.
The village was cut off for more than four days until the Ministry of Highways installed a Bailey bridge. The Alcan
water cooling system was damaged, causing delays in the smelter production line. The Anderson Creek pumphouse
flooded with 4 ft. (1.2 m) of water. Anderson Creek changed course, flooding the Alcan road with up to 3 ft. (90 cm)
of water. The road at the Alcan Tour building was blocked by a mudslide.
Prince Rupert experienced power interruptions in several areas of the city. Portions of Port Edward were
without power for up to 10 hours. North of Prince Rupert, two large debris slides occurred at Silver Creek.
In the Terrace area, some power interruptions occurred. The Kalum Lake Road was closed, cutting off the
residents of Rosswood. The bridge at Clear Creek washed out and the Camp Creek bridge was eroded and damage.
Flooding at New Remo left the Zymacord River much closer to the training berm. Williams Creek and adjacent creeks
but there was no readily apparent damage to structures or private property. Hirsh Creek flooded and damaged gabion
basket bank protection within District of Kitimat park area. In the Dutch Valley area west of Terrace, erosion of high
bank was evident that might lead to future flooding problems.
Logging roads in the Terrace area sustained heavy damage. Skeena Cellulose (SCI) reported to have spent
some $250,000 on repairing flood damage on the Copper River Forest Service road between the Clore-Kitnayakwa.
Numerous washouts occurred between 41-48 km. In addition, some $70,000 was spent on the road below the Clore
River where almost every culvert had to be replaced. Replacement of culverts on the Kleanza road totaled some
$50,000 (B. Smith, pers. comm.). SCI estimated the cost of emergency repairs, including for the Nass Mainline from
50 km to Nass Camp and west to Greenville bridge, to be $19,700. Flood damage to its south unit (including the
Copper, Kleanza, Zymacord, Williams, Chimdemash and St. Croix rivers was estimated at $261,000). Estimates for
their north unit (including at Mainline 73 km, Br. 5000, Br. 4600, 4 km, and various other locations) totaled $74,500
(A. MacDonald). Eurocan reported a repair cost of $160,000. An additional $11,318.65 was claimed under Section 88
of the Forest Act. The total cost included $69,000 for the replacement of culverts and $83,000 for bridge repair and
gravel.
Flooding occurred on the Lakelse White Bottom road in the usual area: the Forest Service campsite, west of
the Lakelse River bridge, km 17 on the Lakelse Main. In the Lower Kitimat Valley, the north approach of the
temporary bridge at Cecil Creek went out. On the Main line at 76 km, several washouts occurred at bridges just north
of Kitimat. The new bridge at Hunter Creek in the Upper Kitimat Valley plugged up. The creek diverted down the
new grade for over 500 m, totally destroying the grade. On the West Kalum, logjams in the Nelson and Beaver rivers
caused extensive flooding. About 1 m of new material was deposited on the grade. Several people were stranded
temporarily. The south sill and approach of Tumbling Creek were slightly undermined. On the Nass FSR damage
occurred at the Kiteen River on the north approach of Ginmiltkin Creek went out. Major culverts on the Kleanza FSR
failed at km 4, 6, 14, 19, and 20, causing total washouts. Numerous minor culverts plugged up, flooding the road. On
the Copper River FSR in many locations, flooding and shoulder erosion occurred and riprap was lost. At km 24, the
east approach of Simpson Creek washed out. The shoulder of the east bridge approach of Matson Creek went out. The
substructure of the Clore River bridge at 41 km was damaged. At 50 km, both approaches of the Kitnayakwa River
went out.
Storm damage to Forest Service roads (FSR) in the Prince Rupert Forest Region totaled $333,000. Major
damage occurred on the Telkwa FSR where the bridge approach at Jonas Creek and 300 m of rock armouring washed
out ($39,000); Kleanza FSR ($46,000); Copper FSR ($171,000 total, including armour washout at km 30: $18,000,
and rip-rap repairs at km 42, 45.5, 46 and 48: $62,000); Upper Kitimat FSR, where at km 28 Hunter Creek changed
channel and washed out the road ($25,000).
Pacific Northern Gas reported $521,945 damage to its pipeline along the Copper River. Major damage
occurred at MP 247.5 (km 39.8) where the floating pipeline required relocation for 0.5 km. At MP 244.2 (km 46), the
washed-out river crossing needed 200 m of rock dike and fill.
Highway 16 between Kitwanga-Telkwa sustained minor damage, mainly from plugged culverts. Smithers
reported over 60 mm of rain during the night of September 28-29. Some creeks in the area overflowed and caused
damage to roads, rail lines and telephone and hydro lines. West of Smithers, flooding occurred in the Slack and Nielsen
roads area, where roads washed out and basements flooded. Biggs Creek at the end of Nielsen Road flooded, dumping
gravel on driveways in the neighbourhood. Mud, rock, and debris plugged culverts along Nielsen and Slack roads.
Some residents had their driveways washed away. Power outages occurred because of downed trees. Lines to the Ski
Hill road and the transmitters on Mt. Harry Davis near Houston were out. Most of the damage occurred on the south
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