Fraser River water levels drop slightly, but are expected to rise by next weekend

The B.C. River Forecast Centre reported that as of 2 p.m. today, 11,500 cubic metres per second are passing the community. That's down from 11,900 cubic metres per second in the Fraser River two days ago.

"The main pulse of water from last week’s rainfall over the Interior has now worked its way down through the lower Fraser River (through Mission and downstream)," the B.C. River Forecast Centre mentioned in a statement. "River levels around Mission and downstream are expected to hold steady through the early part of the week as local inflows (e.g. from the Harrison River) offset declining flows from upstream on the mainstem Fraser. There is the potential for small rises or drops through Tuesday and Wednesday."

At Mission, the Fraser River was at 6.36 metres today. That's predicted to rise to 6.5 metres by Wednesday (June 27).

There has also been a rapid snowmelt and heavy rainfall over the weekend, particularly in the Thompson River basin, which flows into the Fraser River.

According to the B.C. River Forecast Centre, this could result in a "significant additional rise" in the Lower Fraser River over next weekend (June 29 to July 2).

The forecast calls for flows to reach 12,500 to 13,500 cubic metres per second at Hope, and 6.7 to 7.3 metres at Mission.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment has reported that the Kicking Horse River "may be approaching flood stage" at Golden.

There has been "widespread devastation" in the Shuswap Lake area, according to a CBC News report, and the body of a 73-year-old man has been recovered near Nelson after he was swept away in a creek.

For a summary of all flood watches and evacuation alerts across the province, visit the Emergency Info B.C. website.

Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.