HISTORICAL NEWS SEARCH - Government of British Columbia

Colter, the Ministry of Public Works blocked off the most northern channel of Hatchery Creek, which had been a
major flood-relief channel (Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Ltd. 1987). *1)
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*1) In 1956, the Department of Highways blocked off the overflow of Granite Creek to Hatchery Creek, in order for all
flow of water in this area east of Highway 25 to go into one channel. This would make a large culvert or bridge at the
point where Hatchery Creek formerly crossed Highway 25 unnecessary (Ministry of Transportation and Highways,
Terrace). Much flood damage has occurred since the redirection of flow (Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Ltd. 1987).
November 30-December 1, 1958
Event type: Snow avalanche.
Precipitation: Kitimat Townsite (60.9 mm/2 days), November 30-December 1, 1958; Terrace A (38.6 mm/2 days),
November 30-December 1, 1958.
Source: The Northern Sentinel, December 1, 1958.
A snow avalanche at Kwinitsa blocked Highway 16 between Terrace-Prince Rupert. The slide, measuring a
length of 100 ft. (30 m), was reported at 4 a.m.
February 1-2, 1959
Event type: Snow avalanches.
Precipitation: Kitimat Townsite (16.3 mm/1 day), February 1, 1959; Prince Rupert (32.0 mm/2 days), February 1-2,
1959.
Source: Prince Rupert Daily News, February 2, 1959; The Omineca Herald, February 5, 1959; J. Mekechuck, pers.
comm. 1989. CN Railway, Edmonton, Alta.
CNR reported two large snowslides near Mile 67.9, between Salvus-Kwinitsa. On February 1 at 8:30 p.m. a
westbound freight train was hit by a slide. A second slide struck and derailed three cars. One car went into the Skeena
River and two onto the highway. Heavy rainfall was reported in the area at the time. Besides the derailment at Mile
42.2, snowslides and washouts occurred between February 1-3. The largest slide came down at Mile 46.7, measuring a
length of 100 ft. (30 m) and a depth of 20 ft. (6 m). The rail line was closed for 45 hours.
March 14-16, 1959
Event type: Flooding, debris slides and snow avalanches.
Precipitation: Falls River (231.3 mm/3 days), March 14-16, 1959; Kitimat Townsite (136.7 mm/3 days), March 14-16,
1959; Kitimat (206.3 mm/3 days), March 14-16, 1959; Prince Rupert (96.3 mm/2 days), March 15-16, 1959; Langara
(66.3 mm/2 days), March 15-16, 1959; Kemano (46.7 mm/1 day), March 16, 1959.
Source: The Northern Sentinel, March 19, 1959; Prince Rupert Daily News, March 17, 18, 19, 20 and 23, 1959;
Terrace Omineca Herald, March 19, 1959; J. Mekechuck, pers. comm.1989. CN Railway, Edmonton, Alta.; Stethem
and Schaerer 1980 (pp. 13-14); B.C. Ministry of Mines 1960 (pp. 231-232).
Prince Rupert recorded heavy rain, with 5.11 in. (129.8 mm) of rain in 72 hours. The telegraph, long
distance telephone, teletype lines, and the CBC Radio link were all cut.
Highway 16 between Prince Rupert-Terrace was closed for three days. Near Prudhomme Lake, the highway
was flooded with 1 ft. (30 cm) of water. Some slides occurred in the summit area near Tyee, and a large one between
Salvus and the Kwinitsa tunnel. On March 20 the highway reopened, “usable at the public’s own risk.”
The rail line was closed for two days and nine hours. A large slide occurred at Mile 64.7. It measured 1,400
ft. (420 m) at the base, with a depth of 35-50 ft. (10.5-15 m). The Salvus railway tunnel was partially buried. A rock
and snowslide occurred at Mile 39.9, blocking both ends of the tunnel. The slides west and east of the tunnel measured
lengths of 1,800 ft. (540 m) and 300 ft. (90 m), respectively. The tracks were swept away and 12 telegraph poles were
knocked out. Two section crews of 60 men and two extra gangs cleared the slide, with four bulldozers, a two-yard
diesel shovel, and a turn-a-dozer. On March 20, the rail line was reopened for traffic “on slow orders.” On March 21,
an eastbound freight train hit a slide 32.4 mi. (51.8 km) west of Smithers and derailed, killing the engineer. The line
was reopened on March 23.
At the Torbrit Silver Mines Limited Toric Mine near Alice Arm an avalanche came down. No injuries or
damage was reported (B.C. Ministry of Mines 1960).
April 7, 1959
Event type: Fatal avalanche.
Precipitation: Not applicable.
Source: The Vancouver Sun, April 9, 1959; Stethem and Schaerer 1980 (pp. 13-14); B.C. Ministry of Mines 1960 (pp.
231-232).
An avalanche at the Torbrit Silver Mines Limited Toric Mine near Alice Arm killed one miner. *1) The snow
and rockslide broke through the snowshed striking a train and burying the switchman in the debris. A motorman on the
engine pushing the cars escaped injury.
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