By Cheryl Jahn

Vanderhoof residents upset with Rio Tinto

Jan 15, 2021 | 2:02 PM

VANDERHOOF – A number of homes along the Nechako River in Vanderhoof suffered flooding over the weekend when an ice jam on the river broke. It was a matter that has been brewing for a while.

“In the summertime, seeing the reservoir level increase dramatically and so at that time, we talked to Rio Tinto and said ‘Hey, we’re seeing the reservoir levels increase dramatically. Should we not be letting out more water?’ They did a seminar with us and said ‘No, we don’t need to put out any more water.’ Consequently, the reservoir is relatively full,” says Mayor Gerry Thiessen.

And, today, residents are pointing to who they feel is the culprit. Debra Montgomery’s property was flooded and she says what the mayor suggested is exactly what Rio Tinto should have done.

“Rio Tinto Alcan has such a high level of water going through at the wrong time of year,” says. “They should have dumped more water in the fall or last summer because our [in the Nechako] water level wasn’t very high in the fall. And, if they would have dumped more water then, then we wouldn’t be having the problems that we have now.”

In a statement, Rio Tinto writes: “Rio Tinto understands the distress the flooding is causing and has reached out to the BC River Forecast Centre to offer our assistance in any way we can, including sharing river data and forecasting. Rio Tinto has offered to support the District of Vanderhoof by immediately hiring a hydraulic consultant with expertise in ice jams and having an aerial ice survey conducted. We have been and will stay in close contact, with the BC Government and the District of Vanderhoof.” “Rio Tinto manages the Skins Lake Spillway based on the best available information to minimize the risk of flooding throughout the year. The weather has been very unusual since mid-December, with large fluctuations in temperature and higher than normal flow from Nechako River tributaries downstream of the Skins Lake Spillway. In addition, ice jams are very unpredictable; they can subside or grow very quickly.”

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The company also notes that Spillway discharge is only one factor affecting water levels in the Nechako.