Rain in the forecast could bring North and South Thompson to 2012 levels

KAMLOOPS – Water levels in the North and South Thompson Rivers are starting to level out after the recent stint of hot weather, although the rain in the forecast could be bad news.

Snowmelt levels have tapered off and will be less of a factor to rising water levels in the Thompson rivers, but rain will be the biggest challenge going forward, David Campbell with the B.C. River Forecast Centre says.

A cold front transitioning to an upper low system that could bring about 20 mm of rain is expected to sweep across the region starting on Wednesday and lasting through Thursday.

The system would bring another surge on the North and South Thompson and will bring levels higher, Campbell says.

He says because the forecast is looking at the weather several days from now, it could change and they are closely watching the situation.

"We are creeping up on levels we saw in 2012. The weekend forecast has potential to bring those levels in the North and South Thompson," Campbell says.

Right now the South Thompson is running at 1,240 cubic metres per second and in 2012 it reached 1,500 cubic metres per second. The rain in the forecast could bring water levels to about 1,450 cubic metres per second by the weekend, he says.

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