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Your local source for up-to-date water levels, weather information, floods, wildfires, and more

16/04/2022

To the loyal viewers of the Shuswap Lake Watch page, we regret to inform you the page will not be updated in the forseable future due to medical hardship. We thank you for the support and ask for some privacy at this time.

02/04/2022

The 2022 runoff has started; Shuswap Lake is steadily rising since March 17 at an average rate of 1.7 cm (0.7 in) per day. As most of the low altitude snow has melted away and rain water keeps slowly discharging into nearby creeks and rivers, water flow in all Shuswap Lake contributories has noticeably increased as well. For a more detailed assessment, pictures, and a preliminary outlook check out our report at https://news.shuswaplakewatch.com/slwstory.php?ns=9. Daily updated water levels and flow rates graphs for all major creeks and rivers are available at https://shuswaplakewatch.com.

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19/03/2022

Temperatures are warming up in the Shuswap. Earlier this week cracks appeared in the Mara Lake ice cover and, starting as of yesterday, a continuous stream of junks of ice have been floating through the Sicamous Channel into Shuswap Lake. Some smaller ice plates have become trapped in the Channel and along the Shuswap Lake shoreline today. Surprisingly, the average thickness of the ice junks is roughly 18 cm (7 in) and thus quite thicker than expected. Since most of the ice plates are submerged under water, it does not appear as thick as it actually is and can cause substantial damage to boats trying to cut through it. Boaters are advised to watch out and avoid those floating ice plates for the next few days.
Pictures are available on our page.

27/08/2021

Shuswap Wildfires Update 2021-08-26, 7:00 PM:
Most Shuswap wildfires remain stalled and much progress has been made to get them under control. As of today 31 active fires are listed for the Shuswap; only 14 of those are classified as out-of-control and 3 fires have been declared as out today.
The Sicamous fire, while still maintaining its status as fire-of-note, is now downgraded from out-of-control to being-held. Lots of progress has been made and the fire should be soon entirely under control.
Light wildfire smoke has moved into the Shuswap again this morning and became more dense during the day. However, with a good chance of some rain tonight and tomorrow, most of the smoke should have clear up by the weekend.

Satellite sensors are still picking up active fire spots for only the White Rock Lake fire west of Vernon and the fires in the high mountains north of Sugar Lake, The Sugar Lake fires are currently the most active fires in the Shuswap; however, as the fires slowly reaching the alpine regions above the treeline they soon will run out of sufficient fuel to spread much further.

Today's Air Quality Health Index (1 - 10): 4 / Moderate Risk (Source: Environment Canada)

26/08/2021

Shuswap Wildfires Update 2021-08-25, 7:00 PM:
Most Shuswap wildfires have stalled and good progress has been made to get them under control.
The Crazy Creek Gorge fire at Anstey Arm / Queest Village has lost its status of Fire-of-Note and was downgraded today from out-of-control to being held. Also downgraded to being held was the Bunting Rd fire today at Mabel Lake across from Kingfisher.
No growth and good progress has been reported for the Sicamous fire. The fire is still classified as out-of-control but can be expected to be downgraded very soon as well. There are still a few barely smoldering spots on the hillside facing Mara Lake but is appears as those are slowly fading away. Pictures of those spots are below.

Satellite sensors are only picking up active fire spots for the White Rock Lake fire west of Vernon and some of the fires in the high mountains north of Sugar Lake. All other wildfires in the Shuswap are not very active and not burning hot enough for the sensors to qualify as active fire.

Today's Air Quality Health Index (1 - 10): 3 / Low Risk (Source: Environment Canada)

23/08/2021

Shuswap Wildfires Update 2021-08-22, 6:30 PM:
Cooler weather and a few mild rain showers have slowed the growth of most Shuswap fires. The White Rock Lake fire still maintains the highest fire activities in the region, as not all fire lines have received any rain this morning.
The Hunakwa fire at Seymour Arm has lost its status of Fire-of-Note and was downgraded from out-of-control to being held today. The Crazy Creek Gorge fire near Queest Village is likely to follow soon as well.
No growth has been reported for the Sicamous fire today as well. However, some of the few smoldering spots on the hillside facing Mara Lake seem to have gained new strength by showing some more visible smoke columns than yesterday.
Overall, the few sprinkles of rain today will not have a major impact on the fires. However, it was windy all day today which could fan up some renewed fire activities; especially in higher, wind exposed elevations.

Overall, with no new heat wave to be expected this year anymore and cooler temperatures with occasional rain showers to continue well into next month, the peak of the fire season appears to have passed and increased control over the remaining ongoing fires can be expected throughout the next weeks to come.

Today's Air Quality Health Index (1 - 10): 3 or less / Low Risk (Source: Environment Canada)

22/08/2021

Shuswap Wildfires Update 2021-08-21, 7:00 PM:
There have been no significant changes for the Shuswap wildfires. Cooler temperatures of the past few days have been supporting the firefighting efforts and some progress has been made to gain the upper hand on some fronts. Mild winds have started this afternoon but there is a good chance of some rain falling into the Shuswap tonight and tomorrow.

Air Quality Health Index (1 - 10): 4 / Low to Moderate Risk (Source: Environment Canada)
No significant changes expected until Monday.

COVID-19 Update:
New health orders are now extended to the entire Interior Health region - which also include the Shuswap. Those orders include:
- Mandatory masks in all indoor public spaces for people over the age of 12
- Indoor gatherings limited to 6 people
- Outdoor gatherings limited to 50 people
- All high-intensity fitness classes suspended
- Regular indoor fitness classes limited to 10 people
The province also discouraged non-essential travel to the Interior.

21/08/2021

Shuswap Wildfires Update 2021-08-20, 6:30 PM:
None of the Shuswap wildfires showed significant growth today. The Crazy Creek Gorge fire guard is now complete and in place. Firefighters are on patrol along the guard line protecting the Queest Village and surrounding area.
The White Rock Lake fire is burning on multiple fronts, including the Westside Road near Vernon. Ground troops, assisted by air support, continue their efforts to gain control.
The Sicamous fire didn't appear to gain any growth. Only a few weak smoldering spots could be seen today on the hillside facing Mara Lake which are now actively attended by ground troops. It's a slow process, given the difficult terrain in those areas.

20/08/2021

Shuswap Wildfires Update 2021-08-19, 7:00 PM:
The moderate fire activity for most of the Shuswap wildfires seems to have continued today. No significant growth has been reported and many satellite heat signatures remain below the preset threshold; especially for the Sicamous and White Rock Lake fires. The Shuswap remains clear of any wildfire smoke.

The Three Valley fire has now been downgraded as being held and should be fully under control shortly. Progress has been made at the Crazy Creek Gorge fire; all fire guards and structural protections for the Queest village and surrounding areas are now completed and in place. The White Rock Lake fire is slowly getting strength again, especially on the east flank along the Westside Road of Vernon. Air support continues on all fronts, as the area has started to dry out after the recent rain. The Sicamous fire appears to smoldering along at various spots between the Hummingbird Creek and the north flank south-west of Malakwa.

The pictures show the Sicamous fire from an elevated location across the Eagle Valley, starting with the north-east flank and continuing to the Hummingbird Creek area.

19/08/2021

Shuswap Wildfires Update 2021-08-18, 7:00 PM:
The recent rain has slowed down most of the Shuswap wildfires. Two fires have been reported out today, and 3 out-of-control fires are now being held and likely will come under control very shortly. The smoke over the Shuswap is as good as gone today. The fire on Copper Island is now listed as out of control.
The fire activity at the White Rock Lake fire has been fairly low today. Air support and ground groups have been busy all day trying to gain upper hand on all fronts. Once again, no satellite data has been available for this fire today.
As for the Sicamous fire:
The fire moved roughly 4 km ahead two nights ago on the northeast corner, away from community and structures. On the south flank the fire jumped the guard that was in place, crossed Hummingbird Creek and then burned back up to the Skyline FSR. Structure protection is ongoing in Swansea Point. No satellite fire spots are available today as well. No active fire spots are visible on the Mara Lake hillside.

18/08/2021

Sicamous Wildfires Update 2021-08-17, 7:00 PM:
Continuous rain throughout the night slowed down the Sicamous fire after jumping the ridge and burning downhill a bit. Lots of smoldering spots can still be seen in the mountains; however, most are noticeably weaker than before. The wildfire smoke has mostly gone as well, allowing a good view into all surrounding mountains. Due to the dense cloud cover the satellite wasn't able to reliably detect any heat sources today. Therefore, tomorrow should allow a better fire status update.

Two new fires have started in the Shuswap; one today in the mountains north of Celista and another yesterday on Copper Island.

17/08/2021

Shuswap Wildfires Update 2021-08-16, 7:00 PM:
Moderate overnight winds with occasional stronger wind gusts have strengthened and accelerated most wildfires. The Sicamous fire is slowly approaching the mountain ridge before descending downhill the wooded slopes.
The White Rock Lake fire has also grown nearly 7,000 hectares in size during the past few days. Some evacuation alert zones surrounding the fire have been extended which once again includes the Armstrong community area.

There has been a short thunderstorm this afternoon, sprinkling a bit of rain into the Shuswap and burning mountains. The short rain might have tickled the fires but it sure wasn't enough to slow any fire down. Winds have calmed down and a little more rain is expected for tonight. Wildfire smoke, while slightly improved this evening, still remains thick all over the Shuswap.

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