Low Streamflow Advisory – Peace Region

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

The River Forecast Centre is maintaining the following low streamflow advisory:

Peace Region, including East Peace - Late summer is a period when streams in the Peace region reach their seasonal low flows. Due to a prolonged period of well below normal precipitation this summer, river levels are lower than normal for many streams, primarily in the East Peace, with many streams at or below their previously recorded historic low flow for September.Rainfall totals over the past two weeks have been low with totals from 0 to 5 mm following a notable precipitation event that affected the Peace and Northeast regions from September 7 to 9. These dry conditions have led to falling flow levels in the region.

Current streamflow conditions in the Peace region*:

  • Nation River near the mouth (07ED003) is recording a water level of 0.148 m#. These levels are below the minimum recorded level for this period of the year. The water level is below the calibrated portion of the existing rating curve and so discharge data are not currently available. The current conditions likely exceed the 20-year 7-day low flow event.
  • Parsnip River above Misinchinka River (07EE007) is recording a flow of 37.86 m3/s. These flows are close to the lower quartile flow for this period of the year.
  • Halfway River near Farrell Creek (07FA006) is recording a flow of 14.29 m3/s. These flows are below the minimum recorded level for this period of the year.
  • Moberly River near Fort St. John (07FB008) is recording a water level of 1.131 m#. This water level is below the minimum recorded level for this period of the year. The most recent flow measurement was 0.148 m3/s on September 16th, 2014. These flow conditions exceed the 20-year 7-day low flow event.
  • Flatbed River at Kilometre 110 Heritage Highway (07FB009) is recording a flow of 0.767 m3/s. These flows are above the lower quartile for this period of the year.
  • Blueberry River below Aitken Creek (07FC003) was measured at 0.061 m3/s on September 4 2014. Due to little rainfall since that time, it is expected the streamflow is below 0.061 m3/s.
  • Kiskatinaw River near Farmington (07FD001) is recording a flow of 0.458 m3/s. These flows remain above the recorded minimum flows for this period of the year. Discharge is being augmented with storage release from Bearhole Lake, by the City of Dawson Creek.
  • Fontas River near the mouth (10CA001) is recording a water level of 6.41 m#. These water levels are below the recorded minimum flow for this period of the year. The most recent flow measurement was 1.688 m3/s on September 2nd, 2014. Due to little rainfall during September, it is expected that streamflow is less than 1.688 m3/s.

The Environment Canada forecast indicates the Peace and Northeast can expect light to moderate rainfall over the next 10 days with seasonal temperatures. Flows are not expected to increase substantially over the next 1 to 2 weeks and declines in river levels may be expected.The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor conditions and will provide updates as conditions warrant. For conditions in other areas of the province, see the Water Supply and Streamflow Conditions Bulletin.