Flood Preparation

Floods are common in BC and can happen at any time of year. The most severe floods usually occur in spring and early summer due to heavy rain and melting snow. They can also be caused by storm surges, ice jams or damage to structures like dikes or dams.

In some areas of BC, climate change and related extreme weather events have increased the flood risk. Rising temperatures, changing freeze-thaw cycles and rising sea levels can all contribute to flooding. Review the information below and ensure you are prepared in the event of a flood.

Freshet 2023 Updates

Seasonal weather during the snow melt season is a critical factor in determining the size of freshet, and whether or not flooding will occur. Intense or prolonged rainfall and extreme temperatures are important factors that can lead to larger freshets.

BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness shared a 10-day water forecast for the lower Fraser River advising that the daily peak level of Fraser River in Mission will likely rise up to 5.8 metres by May 21. This is lower than the 6.4 metre peak experienced in 2012. Please note that at this time, no alerts have been issued for this area. Residents living in areas along the Matsqui Dike and Glen Valley Area’s may experience pooling of water or seepage. Residents are encouraged to stay away from high rising and fast flowing waters.

Detailed flood information is available below and also available through the @abbotsford app. Residents are encouraged to download the app and ‘allow’ notifications from the app as users will receive notifications right to their smart device when and if the freshet conditions change. The City website provides flood information for the Fraser River, including emergency planning and response, runoff conditions and information for residents living in the floodplain. Residents in the floodplain are advised to familiarize themselves with the flood preparedness information.

Seasonal weather during the snow melt season is a critical factor in determining the size of freshet, and whether or not flooding will occur. Intense or prolonged rainfall and extreme temperatures are important factors that can lead to larger freshets.

The City of Abbotsford has an extensive diking network to protect the community from floods on the Fraser and Sumas River systems. The City inspects and maintains the dikes and related infrastructure on a routine basis to keep the system functioning as designed. City staff are closely monitoring snow pack and runoff forecasts provided by the Ministry of Environment and the readings on the Mission Gauge, which is the main indicator of the rising water level of the Fraser River.
Each spring the City of Abbotsford monitors the levels of the Fraser River during the annual snowmelt season, known as freshet, to assess the flooding risk along the Matsqui Dikes. As of May 1, 2023, the snow basin index in the Fraser River at Hope is below normal at 88 per cent.

The Matsqui Dikes are designed to prevent water in the Fraser River from entering into Matsqui Prairie; however, residents living in areas along the Matsqui Dikes may experience pooling of water or seepage, due to the pressure difference created by the high water level. Seasonal weather during the snowmelt season is a critical factor in determining the size of freshet, and whether or not flooding will occur. Intense or prolonged rainfall and extreme temperatures are important factors that can lead to larger freshets. The City of Abbotsford will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates to residents as needed.

Seepage pooling is quite common during freshet. To minimize the seepage pooling and/or a boil on your property, please avoid the following activities from May to September near the dikes:
- the removal of trees or stumps;
- deep cultivation of fields; and
- digging holes with machines.
Further information is available from the following sources:
- View the areas where seepage pools were found during previous freshet seasons, or make an in person appointment at the Engineering Department at City Hall for a hardcopy.
- Visit the Province of BC River Forecast Centre website for more information on the snow survey and freshet season and current levels at the Mission Bridge (Station 08MH024).
- Report water pooling on your property or to get information on the freshet season, contact the City of Abbotsford Diking, Drainage and Irrigation Division at 604-853-5485.