Vedder River Flood Protection
Water levels rise on the Vedder River during the spring and summer as a result of snowmelt, but the larger floods on the Vedder River occur in the fall and winter, brought on by heavy rainfall or rain-on-snow events.
The fall and winter flood events are short duration, generally only lasting 1 to 2 days. Water levels rise quickly and advance warning is limited due to limitations in predicting rainfall events.
The City has a comperehensive Flood Response Plan for the Vedder River that is reviewed and updated every year.
General flood preparedness information for residents can be found on our Flood Protection webpage. Advisories and information are also available from the Provincial River Forecast Centre.
Refer also to http://www.vedderriver.ca/reports/ for additional information on sediment removal.
Flood Response Plan Stages
A brief outline of the flood response plan stages is provided. Actions will depend on observed conditions and forecasts from Environment Canada or the BC River Forecast Centre.
Phase I - Pre-Flooding Activities
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Triggered by weather forecast, heavy rain, rising water or River Forecast Centre report
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Preparatory work
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Flood Response Plan review
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Preliminary notifications
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Trail closures
Phase II - Rising Water
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Water levels reach bankfull and rising
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Daily dike patrols
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Monitoring of erosion and debris sites
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Emergency Operations Centre may be activated
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Evacuation alerts and orders for unprotected floodplain are considered
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Public updates
Phase III - Minor Flooding
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River has risen beyond its banks, water levels within 2.0 m of dike crest and rising
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Hourly dike patrols
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Monitoring of erosion and debris sites
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Evacuation alerts for protected floodplain are considered
Phase IV - Severe Flooding
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High water is within 1.0 metre of the dike crest and rising
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May be triggered at a lower water level, if there is an observed risk of dike breach
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24-hour continuous dike patrols
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Monitoring of erosion and debris sites
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Evacuation orders for protected floodplain are considered
Phase V - Clean Up
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Assessment of affected area and damage inventory
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Clean up of roads and utilities
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Evacuation order rescinded with availability of clean drinking water and sanitation systems
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Disaster Financial Assistance applications
River Gauges
There are two gauges on the Chilliwack/Vedder River system that are maintained by Environment Canada (Water Survey of Canada):
Chilliwack River Above Slesse Creek -
https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=08MH103
Chilliwack River Near Vedder Crossing -
https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=08MH001
Federal real time water level and flow information for watercourses can be found at the following link:
https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/map/index_e.html
Vedder Canal Dykes Restricted Access
Over the past 2 years, the City has experienced an increase in vandalism and theft at its two drainage pump stations located on the Vedder Dyke.