Shuswap Lake hasn’t peaked yet.

The gradual but steady rise of the lake level continues, coming just shy of the 349-metre mark at noon on Sunday. High temperatures are predicted to increase snow melt feeding into the lake, pushing the lake’s high-water mark out into the coming week or beyond.

The 2018 flood levels peaked at 349.141 m, while 2012 saw a high-water mark of 349.588 m.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the Shuswap as the first stretch of warmer than average temperatures moves into the area. Today, Saturday, June 25, temperatures will reach into the upper 20's. For the remainder of the weekend and early next week, temperatures will rise into the low to mid 30's.

The Evacuation Alert issued June 13, 2022 by the District of Sicamous through the Shuswap Emergency Program due to the potential danger to life, health and property caused by the threat of a landslide in the Wiseman Creek area is hereby rescinded effective Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 12:30 Hours.

All properties in the Evacuation Alert area are now ALL CLEAR.

The area downgraded to ALL CLEAR status is:

Sicamous Creek Mobile Home Park
All residences # 1 through #27 - 5 Highway 97A

Current lake level predictions are indicating Shuswap Lake is heading towards a level of 349.1 metres, with the peak expected to take place this coming weekend or into early next week.

Forecasted data from two different types of provincial modeling systems is currently suggesting Saturday, June 25 or Sunday, June 26 may see the highest water levels for the year in the Shuswap.

These forecasts always carry a degree of uncertainty as they can be affected by many factors including temperature, rainfall, and snow melt rates.

The potential for significant rainfall in the Shuswap over the next week is causing continued concern for flooding in the region.

As lake and rivers levels continue a steady climb upward, the Shuswap Emergency Program is reminding people to monitor the situation and to be safe around the water.

The posted graph is showing peak lake level predictions for the weekend and into next week, based on two Provincial modelling programs.

The Shuswap Emergency Program (SEP) is advising residents of the increasing risk of flooding in Shuswap-area lakes and rivers in the coming days.

The BC River Forecast Centre has upgraded to Flood Watch status for the Shuswap Region, including the Seymour River, Eagle River, Adams River, Shuswap River and surrounding tributaries. The level of the Salmon River in the Salmon Valley area is coming up but has not been included in the Flood Watch at this time.

An Evacuation Alert has been issued by the District of Sicamous at the Shuswap Emergency Program’s Emergency Operations Centre. The threat of a landslide near Wiseman Creek in the District of Sicamous is increasing due to forecasted rainfall. Due to the potential danger to life, health or property, an Evacuation Alert is in effect for the following areas:

Sicamous Creek Mobile Home Park
All residences # 1 through #27 - 5 Highway 97A

Please see the attached map of the Evacuation Alert Area

Cooler spring weather this season has delayed snow melts, but flooding risks are now beginning to increase in the Shuswap.

Current predictions are noting a peak in lake and river levels that is roughly four weeks later than normal. Possible flood levels are difficult to predict as they are highly dependent on rainfall and temperatures over the next few weeks.