The Kiskatinaw River where the City of Dawson Creek intakes its water supply. The city says water is flowing over the weir crest and intake lines are not freezing, both positive indicators for its current water supply situation. (Matt Preprost/CBC - image credit)
In a Friday update, officials said the state of emergency in Dawson Creek has been extended until Jan. 20.
This allows the city to respond quickly to changing conditions, including finding alternative water sources.
The city reported receiving 24 centimetres of snow last week, equal to about 17 millimetres of moisture, with more snow and rain expected.
Water is flowing over the weir crest at the Kiskatinaw River intake — the city’s only drinking water source — and the intake isn’t freezing, both seen as good signs. Dawson Creek estimates it has about 182 days of usable water in its reservoirs, with additional supply expected from the snowpack as temperatures rise to between 6 and 8 C this week.
The province’s Jan. 1 snow survey shows Peace region snowpacks at 142 per cent of normal, with some stations hitting record highs. At Fort St. John airport, snow water equivalent measured 152 millimetres, nearly triple the usual amount, while near Bearhole Lake, measurements ranged from 104 to 113 millimetres.
Despite the improved situation, the city continues contingency planning, including an overland water line from the Peace River, having secured one of five necessary permits.
The emergency, first declared in October after record low river levels following four years of decline, will remain in place until all permits and agreements are finalized.
-with files from CBC Fort St. John
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