A regional district in the British Columbia Interior has triggered a state of local emergency due to the imminent threat of an illegal dam collapsing.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has raised concerns over a man-made dam on Fadear Lake, warning that it poses a significant risk of failure. In response, an evacuation alert has been issued for 14 properties downstream from the dam. The district’s emergency declaration empowers them to take necessary measures to reduce the potential flood hazard.
Located approximately 13 kilometers north of Sun Peaks Mountain, the unauthorized dam on Fadear Lake has raised fears of a sudden and uncontrolled release of water into Fadear Creek. Residents living along Fadear Creek were advised to be prepared for a rapid evacuation in anticipation of the dam’s potential collapse.
The state of emergency covers the Lower North Thompson area, situated to the north of Kamloops, giving authorities the ability to enforce evacuations, restrict travel, and access private properties in emergency situations to safeguard lives and properties.
Colton Davies, a spokesperson for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, disclosed that the dam, positioned at the northern tip of Fadear Lake where it feeds into Fadear Creek, is facing blockages in its culverts, causing water levels to escalate and raising concerns of overflow.
The origins of the dam remain unclear, with no information available regarding its builders. The Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship has emphasized prioritizing public safety and has engaged an engineer to evaluate the dam’s condition and develop a plan for necessary actions.