HISTORICAL NEWS SEARCH - Government of British Columbia

Early in July, high water on the Goat River washed out 1km of Highway 16 between McBride-Prince
George. Some private roads also washed out.
On July 6, a debris torrent on Leona Creek affected one home, Highway 16, several water licences and some
agricultural properties
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*1) Since the construction of the Kenny Dam by Alcan Smelters and Chemical Ltd. (Alcan) the Nechako River has
been partially regulated with Nautley and Stuart River systems providing the bulk of the unregulated discharge. As a
result of the reduced flow, there has been comparatively little bank erosion in the Miworth-Prince George area
(Geonorth Engineering 1998).
Early January 1998
Event type: Ice jam flooding.
Precipitation: Not applicable.
Source: The Interior News, January 14, 1998; Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Information Bulletin SK002-
98/99. January 9, 1998.
In early January, several localised incidents of flooding and overland iceflows were reported in the Bulkley Valley.
Extreme cold temperatures caused significant amounts of ice to form in local waterways. Property damage was minimal. The
provincial environment ministry was closely watching a 20-km icejam in the Bulkley River downstream from Houston.
Temperatures dipping to around –30 o C the previous week caused the ice build-up. On January 12, the Bulkley River east of
Smithers to Quick was full of shifting pack ice. In Telkwa, ice was threatening to choke the river by the Douglas Motel. *1)
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*1) Historically, the Quick, Telkwa and Ebenezer Flats areas have been prone to flooding because of narrow or shallow river
channels.
January 29-31, 1998
Event type: Mudslide.
Precipitation: Not applicable.
Source: Frank Maximchuk, pers. comm. February 3, 1998.
On January 29, a mudslide 15 ft. (4.5 m) deep and 150 ft. (45 m) long came down onto Highway 16, 3 km south of
Masset. Residents were without power and telephone service for two days. The highway was closed for two to three days.
According to Frank Maximchuk, who did a detailed study of the slide, the size of it was much smaller, with a
maximum height of 3.5-4 m and a width of 30 m, replacing some 2,200-2,400 m 3 . The debris consisted mainly of sand and
some trees and was certainly not a mudslide. It occurred in an 8-10 m wide gully on which north wall a rectangular chunk of
sand 25 m high and 2 m thick slumped. Though precipitation may have been part of the cause, the event was probably wind
induced. During the proceeding days, there was no significant precipitation, but for several days of winds up to 90 km/h.
were recorded. Apparently it had been an ongoing event, just waiting to happen given the right circumstances. Tension
cracks about one year old were observed (Maximchuk, pers. comm.).
May 27-28, 1998
Event type: Spring runoff flooding.
Precipitation: Not applicable.
Source: The Terrace Standard, June 3, 1998; Ministry of Environment files.
At the end of May, the Skeena River was rising and flooding some property near Robin Road, just west of Terrace.
About half of the 100-ac. (40 ha) Bercello property was under water. In some areas the water was quite deep, as a
current had formed in some areas over the fields. On May 28, the main residence was threatened with floodwater being
15 ft. (4.5 m) away. Water was washing over one section of a road being fixed at the time. The roadway being affected
was the Old Remo and Robin Road Six or seven nearby homes were threatened, two of which seriously.
Flooding was reported from the Nass Valley between Terrace-New Aiyansh. Flooding overnight May 27-28
at Beaver Flats cut off access to Lachkaltsap Reserve (Greenville). By May 29, the flooding had worsened. Between 7-
8 km of road into Greenville flooded. *1)
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*1) Residents demanded significant action to end the annual flooding of the road when runoff swells the Nass River.
According to regional highways director Dirk Nyland, the solution would cost perhaps $10 million. He noted,
“There’s no temporary fix in the meantime. We just can’t raise the road; we would to have to move it over and that
would mean moving all the power poles. As well, the road runs along coho (salmon) habitat requiring extra care and
expense when doing any kind of road construction.” (The Terrace Standard, June 3, 1998).
October 6, 1998
Event type: Tsunami.
Precipitation: Not available.
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