VICTORIA - British Columbia has experienced one of the snowiest winters of record in large portions of the province, particularly in the central and north Interior. As of the first week of May, substantial snowpacks have accumulated over large portions of the province.

Current Snowpack:

Record or near record snowpacks continue to be present in the following river basins:
* Skeena
* Bulkley
* Nass
* Upper Fraser
* Nechako
* Peace
* Upper Columbia

Weather during the last month has generally been cool and damp. Snowmelt in low elevation areas has been subdued, and new snow continued to accumulate at mid and high elevations in many areas.

Outlook:

The widespread, heavy snow conditions and the delayed melt have heightened the flood risk over the last few weeks.

The Ministry of Environment anticipates the following:
* Well above normal spring runoff in most major river basins.
* High risk for widespread localized flooding in all the major river basins listed above.
* Significant potential for flooding along major river systems, including the Fraser River through the Lower Mainland.

The severity of local flooding and whether or not flooding occurs on major rivers will depend on the weather during May and June, and when and how rapidly snow melts.

Flooding could begin at any time on small, low and mid slope streams following two days of warm weather or a significant rain event.

For large rivers - including the Fraser and Skeena - the highest risk period for flooding will occur from late May to late June. An extended period of hot weather (seven days or more) or a significant, widespread rainfall near the time of peak snowmelt are the highest risk weather factors.

Areas under flood risk include much of the B.C. Interior, including the following rivers and their tributaries:
* Fraser River (from its headwater areas above Prince George through to the Lower Mainland)
* Skeena River
* Bulkley River
* Nass River
* Nechako River
* North and South Thompson rivers
* Peace River (tributaries and inflows to Williston Reservoir, but not the Peace River below Williston Reservoir)
* Liard River

B.C. flood information can be found at www.pep.bc.ca.