The situation in the snowpack has reached a critical point and Houston is already beginning to feel the impact. The Provincial Emergency Response crews were employed this week as the Bulkley River rapidly rose due to 30 mm of rain Wednesday.

"This is like a pot of water on the stove getting just ready to boil" , stated Alan Chapman from the Ministry of the Environment today, "and that (rainfall) was enough to set it off."

Cam Filmore from the Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) confirmed that yesterday (Thursday May 3rd) they brought in 5 unit crews and 3 high speed pumps to Houston to assist in protecting the areas.

"This is the snowiest winter with record snow packs in the Skeena", stated Chapman, "and we are still getting new snow."

Chapman confirmed that it is not a matter of if but it is more a matter of when the flooding will occur.

"Expect widespread flooding", stated Chapman, "the best case scenerio is that it stays cold and miserable and we have no spring. The worst case scenerio is like 1948 when in mid May we had 3 weeks of temperatures way above normal and the water peaked on May 31st. We are expecting it to be somewhere inbetween."

In Terrace the Provincial Emergency Response Team has been activated already and the Government is actively engaging with all the media to ensure that the communication lines will be open and accurate. The Ministry of the Environment is working with the owners and operators of the over 2000 Dams in the province to ensure that they are prepared for the impact of a sudden melt.

"We have been working closely with Alcan to start a flow release program", stated Glen Davidson from the Water Stewardship Division of the Ministry of the Environment, "This is an effort for pre-draining of the reservoir in preparation for high flows."

"We are at the mercy of the weather", stated Chapman "we are able to monitor five days out and can be very percise and accurate. Beyond five days we just don't know, forcasting that is not accurate. The Nechako snowpack has increased and is well above normal."

Chapman went on to describe that the Ministry staff are currently in the field and will report on the increasing snow pack on Monday but also described that the weather conditions are restricting the ability of the crews to get out to measure. "Some crews haven't been able to get in" stated Chapman

All the graphs attached to this story show a heavy blue line that represents the level last measured. The thin blue line represents the highest ever recorded snow pack. As you can see we are far above that now and apparently the levels are still increasing.

These three graphs show the water shed that drain primarily into the Skeena.

If you are in a potential flood plain, keep your valuables ready to go and be prepared.

"Make sure you have your medications with you", stated Dr. Eric Young, "and ensure that you have a safe water supply."