Vancouver, B.C. — On short notice, British Columbia’s Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma and Minister of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen held a press conference today to provide an update on the Chilcotin River landslide.
Minister Ma emphasized that the situation remains highly dynamic and that the province is working closely with communities along the Chilcotin River and the Fraser River down to Hope to prepare for potential flooding and debris flow.
“Current modeling indicates that an overtopping of the dam is more likely than a release or break of the dam,” Ma stated. She cautioned that while this is one scenario being planned for, it is not the only one, and the impacts could still be significant depending on the nature of the overtopping flow.
Ma assured the public that there would be time to alert people at risk, as the latest modeling indicates it would take 12 to 24 hours for water to reach Hope if an overtopping occurs. “If evacuation becomes necessary, we will issue BC Emergency Alerts to cell phones, radios, and televisions,” she said, urging people to take these alerts seriously and to be prepared to leave on short notice.
Minister Cullen provided further details on the monitoring efforts and the critical information gathered by experts over the past hours. “We are much better positioned today in our understanding of the nature of the slide and its potential impacts,” Cullen said. He highlighted the use of monitoring equipment, time-lapsed cameras, and the Water Survey of Canada’s gauges to track water levels and changes.
Cullen also mentioned the preparation of a 2D model to map out best-case and worst-case scenarios. He emphasized the importance of staying vigilant and avoiding the Chilcotin and Fraser Rivers for safety.
“We continue to work side by side with First Nations, regional governments, and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to respond to this landslide,” Cullen added, acknowledging the invaluable expertise of First Nations partners and government specialists.
Connie Chapman, Executive Director of Water Management for the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, provided additional context, noting historical events in 2004 and 1964 where similar landslides were managed by natural processes. She reiterated the focus on understanding the current slide and preparing for various scenarios without causing further risk through human intervention.
During the question period, one question focused on the possibility of using controlled explosives to manage the landslide. Both ministers stressed the need for safety and the potential risks of such interventions. Cullen noted the immense scale of the landslide, estimating it to be 30 meters deep, 600 to 800 meters long, and 600 meters wide.
Another question addressed the potential impact on the Fraser River. Chapman provided updated measurements, indicating that the backwater from the dammed section of the Chilcotin River has created a lake extending 11 kilometers upstream. She confirmed that an increase in flows in the Fraser River is anticipated but will depend on how the landslide structure breaks down.
Both ministers emphasized the importance of preparedness and communication. Minister Ma urged residents to have emergency grab-and-go bags ready and to follow local government or First Nation directions if an evacuation alert or order is issued.
As the situation continues to evolve, the focus remains on safeguarding public safety and working collaboratively with all partners to mitigate the risks and impacts of the Chilcotin River landslide.