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Flow Facts: October 15 to October 21, 2021

• Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days going from 2795.95 feet to 2795.28 feet.
• Currently, Skins Lake Spillway discharge is 297 m3/s and will be gradually reduced to 50 m3/s beginning October 21, at a rate of 20 m3/s per day.
• The decision to reduce discharge was made due to recently observed inflows and relatively low forecasted inflows. The recent discharges have been effective in minimizing the probability of flooding in 2022.
• Ten (10) mm of precipitation was observed last week and fourteen (14) 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 12 m3/s to 13 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof increased from 181 m3/s to 272 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls increased from 184 m3/s to 271 m3/s
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.
• Please see images below for further detail regarding current conditions.

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 - October 13, 2021

Community Presentation - September 15, 2021

Community Presentation - September 1, 2021

Flow Facts: October 8 to October 14, 2021

• Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days going from 2796.40 feet to 2795.95 feet.
• Currently, Skins Lake Spillway discharge is 248 m3/s.
• Spillway discharge will be increased to 275 m3/s later today and 300 m3/s on October 15, to reduce the likelihood of additional spillway discharges throughout the winter and to reduce the probability of flooding in 2022.
• Eight (8) mm of precipitation was observed last week and seventeen (17) 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 remains at 12 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof increased from 92 m3/s to 181 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls increased from 80 m3/s to 184 m3/s
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.
• Please see images below for further detail regarding current conditions.

Flow Facts: October 1 to October 7, 2021

• Reservoir level has increased in the past 7 days going from 2796.37 feet to 2796.40 feet.
• Currently, Skins Lake Spillway discharge is 164 m3/s. Spillway discharge will gradually increase over the next few days to reach a target of 250 m3/s by October 9.
• Thirty-five (35) mm of precipitation was observed last week and ten (10) 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 decreased from 13 m3/s to 12 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof decreased from 93 m3/s to 92 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls increased from 75 m3/s to 80 m3/s
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.
• Please see images below for further detail regarding current conditions.

October 5, 2021 - Spillway Discharge Update

• Skins Lake Spillway discharge will be increased gradually commencing this afternoon.
• Over the next 4 days, spillway discharge will be increased from 80 m3/s to 250 m3/s in increments of approximately 41 m3/s until 250 m3/s is achieved.
• A peak of 250 m3/s is expected to be maintained for approximately two weeks, but could change dependent on weather conditions.
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.

Reporting Period: September 24 to September 30, 2021

• Reservoir level has increased in the past 7 days going from 2796.15 feet to 2796.37 feet.
• Skins Lake Spillway discharge is 80 m3/s. Spillway discharge will likely be gradually increased next week, in coordination with downstream communities.
• Forty-four (44) mm of precipitation was observed last week and seventeen (17) 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 is unchanged at 13 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof increased from 88m3/s to 93 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls increased from 69 m3/s to 75 m3/s
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.
• Please see images below for further detail regarding current conditions.

Reporting Period: September 17 to September 23, 2021

• Reservoir level has increased in the past 7 days going from 2796.11 feet to 2796.15 feet.
• Skins Lake Spillway discharge is being maintained at approximately 80 m3/s throughout September in consideration of reduced power generation and the Chinook spawning season.
• Forty-two (42) mm of precipitation was observed last week and twenty-nine (29) 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 is decreased from 13 m3/s to 12 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof increased from 86m3/s to 88 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls increased from 65 m3/s to 69 m3/s
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.
• Please see images below for further detail regarding current conditions.

Reporting Period: September 10 to September 16, 2021

• Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days going from 2796.30 feet to 2796.11 feet.
• Skins Lake Spillway discharge is being maintained at approximately 80 m3/s throughout September in consideration of reduced power generation and the Chinook spawning season.
• Six (6) mm of precipitation was observed last week and twenty (20) 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 is unchanged at 13 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof decreased from 97m3/s to 86 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls decreased from 74 m3/s to 65 m3/s
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.
• Please see images below for further detail regarding current conditions.

Reporting Period: September 3 to September 9, 2021

• Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days going from 2796.42 feet to 2796.30 feet.
• Skins Lake Spillway discharge is being maintained at approximately 80 m3/s throughout September in consideration of reduced power generation and the Chinook spawning season.
• Seventeen (17) 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 decreased from 15 m3/s to 13 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof decreased from 129 m3/s to 97 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls decreased from 96 m3/s to 74 m3/s
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.
• Please see images below for further detail regarding current conditions.

Reporting Period: August 27 to September 2, 2021

• Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days going from 2796.57 feet to 2796.42 feet.
• Skins Lake Spillway discharge is being maintained at approximately 80 m3/s throughout September in consideration of reduced power generation and the Chinook spawning season.
• Twelve (12) mm of precipitation was observed last week and eleven (11) 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 decreased from 17 m3/s to 15 m3/s
  • Flow at Vanderhoof decreased from 249 m3/s to 129 m3/s
  • Flow at Cheslatta Falls decreased from 173 m3/s to 96 m3/s
• Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.
• Please see images below for further detail regarding current conditions.