Overview

• The Thompson-Nicola Regional District placed about 14 properties downstream of Fadear Lake on evacuation alert due to the potential imminent failure of an unpermitted dam.
• Officials warn the structure could release water uncontrollably into Fadear Creek, which drains into Louis Creek, and they stress that an evacuation order could come with little warning.
• The district says the alert followed a provincial assessment of the volume of water that could be released if the dam overtops or fails.
• TNRD provided preparedness guidance and said it will give as much notice as possible if an order is issued, with transportation assistance available at 250-377-7188.
• Regional and provincial officials describe the dam as a man-made gravel structure with blocked culverts near the lake’s north end, and the province is contracting an engineer after identifying an imminent risk of overtopping.