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Reporting Period: April 30 to May 6, 2021

• Reservoir level has increased in the past 7 days going from 2793.70 feet to 2794.10 feet.
• With the onset of Spring freshet, Skins Lake Spillway is being maintained at 200 m3/s to control reservoir levels, and will likely be maintained at this level for at least another week.
• Six (6) mm of precipitation was observed last week and eight (8) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
• Nechako River flow discharge changes in the past 7 days at various locations are as follows:
  • Flow at Nautley increased from 88 m3/s to 118 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof increased from 350 m3/s to 390 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls increased from 231 m3/s to 228m3/s(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link).

Rio Tinto is providing bi-weekly updates to community leaders in the Nechako Watershed. The intent of each update is to review new information on snowpack, river forecasts, and flow management. You can access the three most recent presentations by clicking on the links below, or access any of the presentations in our document library here.

Community Presentation - April 28, 2021

Community Presentation - April 14, 2021

Community Presentation - March 31, 2021

Reporting Period: April 23 to April 29, 2021

• Reservoir level has increased slightly in the past 7 days going from 2793.49 feet to 2793.70 feet.
• With the onset of Spring freshet, Skins Lake Spillway is being maintained at 200 m3/s to control reservoir levels.
• Ten (10) mm of precipitation was observed last week and thirteen (13) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
• Nechako River flow discharge changes in the past 7 days at various locations are as follows:
  • Flow at Nautley increased from 48 m3/s to 88 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof increased from 300 m3/s to 350 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls increased from 225 m3/s to 231m3/s(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link).

Reporting Period: April 16 to April 22, 2021

• Reservoir level has been stable in the past 7 days going from 2793.50 feet to 2793.49 feet.
• Skins Lake Spillway is being maintained at 200 m3/s in anticipation of Spring freshet.
• Zero (0) mm of precipitation was observed last week and twelve (12) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
• Nechako River flow discharge changes in the past 7 days at various locations are as follows:
  • Flow at Nautley increased from 21 m3/s to 48 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof increased from 204 m3/s to 300 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls increased from 174 m3/s to 225m3/s(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link).

Reporting Period: April 9 to April 15, 2021

• Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days from 2794.02 feet to 2793.50 feet.
• Skins Lake Spillway is being maintained at 200 m3/s in anticipation of Spring freshet.
• Seven (7) mm of precipitation was observed last week and one (1) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
• Nechako River flow discharge at various locations are as follows:
  • Flow at Nautley is currently 21 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof is currently 204 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls is currently 174 m3/s(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link).

Reporting Period: April 2 to April 8, 2021

• Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days from 2794.48 feet to 2794.02 feet.
• Skins Lake Spillway has increased by approximately 98 m3/s in the past 7 days and is currently 199 m3/s. Spillway discharge was increased in anticipation of Spring freshet.
• Twelve (12) mm of precipitation was observed last week and seven (7) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
• Nechako River flow discharge at various locations are as follows:
  • Flow at Nautley is currently 20 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof is currently 145 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls is currently 124 m3/s(External link)(External link)(External link)
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here(External link)(External link)(External link).

Reporting Period: March 26 to April 1, 2021

• Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days from 2794.79 feet to 2794.48 feet.
• Skins Lake Spillway is currently 101 m3/s and will be increased to approximately 200 m3/s in the coming days in anticipation of Spring freshet.
• Twelve (12) mm of precipitation was observed last week and eleven (11) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
• Nechako River flow discharge at various locations are as follows:
  • Flow at Nautley is currently 18 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof is currently 129 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls is currently 95 m3/s(External link)(External link)
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here(External link)(External link).

Reporting Period: March 19 to March 25, 2021

• Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days from 2795.17 feet to 2794.79 feet.
• Skins Lake Spillway discharge has remained in the range of 99m3/s to 100 m3/s in the past 7 days. Discharge may be increased in the coming weeks in anticipation of Spring freshet.
• Nine (9) mm of precipitation was observed last week and five (5) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
• Based on current conditions, there is a 90% chance that the Nechako Reservoir will not fill completely in 2021. Please refer to the illustration below regarding reservoir conditions.
• Nechako River discharge will be reported again in the Spring; however, the attached illustration provides estimated discharge.
• Be cautious around the river, and particularly in low lying areas. If you notice an ice jam form, please notify Rio Tinto immediately by emailing NechakoReservoirUpdates@riotinto.com.
• Please also see the public safety announcement from the District of Vanderhoof at http://www.vanderhoof.ca/nechako-river-ice-hazard-warning(External link)
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here(External link).

Reporting Period: March 12 to March 18, 2021

• Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days from 2795.50 feet to 2795.17 feet.
• Skins Lake Spillway discharge was increased to 100 m3/s on March 17 to control reservoir level in advance of spring freshet.
• Eighteen (18) mm of precipitation was observed last week and twelve (12) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
• Based on current conditions, there is a 90% chance that the Nechako Reservoir will not fill completely in 2021. Please refer to the illustration below regarding reservoir conditions.
• Ice cover on the Nechako River prevents accurate measurement of discharge. Discharge will be reported again in the Spring.
• Be cautious around the river, and particularly in low lying areas. If you notice an ice jam form, please notify Rio Tinto immediately by emailing NechakoReservoirUpdates@riotinto.com.
• Please also see the public safety announcement from the District of Vanderhoof at http://www.vanderhoof.ca/nechako-river-ice-hazard-warning
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.

Reporting Period: March 5 to March 11, 2021

• Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days from 2795.83 feet to 2795.50 feet.
• Skins Lake Spillway discharge is unchanged at 82 m3/s in the past 7 days.
• Skins Lake Spillway discharge will likely be increased by 15 m3/s early next week, which may result in an increase in water levels in the Nechako River of approximately 0.10 metres. The increase in water level may cause water to flow on top of the ice, which may lead to unstable ice cover.
• Nine (9) mm of precipitation was observed last week and four (4) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
• Based on current conditions, there is a 90% chance that the Nechako Reservoir will not fill completely in 2021. Please refer to the illustration below regarding reservoir conditions.
• Ice cover on the Nechako River prevents accurate measurement of discharge. Discharge will be reported again in the Spring.
• Ice jams sometimes form during freeze up. Be cautious around the river, and particularly in low lying areas. If you notice an ice jam form, please notify Rio Tinto immediately by emailing NechakoReservoirUpdates@riotinto.com.
• You can monitor continuous reservoir elevation by clicking here(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link). Select the Nechako Reservoir at Skins Lake Spillway and station number 08JA023. Reservoir normal maximum level is 12.55m on this gauge, which is equal to 853.44 m or 2800 feet.
• Please also see the public safety announcement from the District of Vanderhoof at http://www.vanderhoof.ca/nechako-river-ice-hazard-warning
  
• (External link)