Water Stewardship Information Sources
| ID | 105 |
|---|---|
| Citation | BC Forest Practices Board. 2001. Forest Practices and the Hummingbird Creek Debris Flow: Complaint Investigation 990180. BC Forest Practices Board. FPB/IRC/50. |
| Organization | BC Forest Practices Board |
| URL | http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/bib48072.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | In July 1997 there was heavy rain in the Salmon Arm area. The cumulative precipitation over a nine-month period was the highest recorded in 100 years. During a July 11 rainfall, a large debris flow impacted properties at Swansea Point, a residential area of approximately 150 homes. The debris flow blocked Highway 97A, about 10 kilometres south of Sicamous, and flowed into Mara Lake. It directly impacted homes and structures on several properties resulting in two buildings being destroyed. Debris and changes in groundwater also impacted residential septic fields and water wells at Swansea Point. Extensive scouring and erosion occurred along Swansea Point Road. The debris flow was the largest non-volcanic debris flow recorded in the province. A resident of Swansea Point filed a complaint with the Forest Practices Board in 1999, asserting that a licence holder was not meeting maintenance obligations under the road permit for Skyline Road. The complainant also asserted that the Ministry of Forests did not adequately enforce these obligations. The complainant asserted that further forestry development in the Hummingbird and Mara Creek watersheds had been unfairly approved because development restrictions were placed on residents' properties due to the risk of another debris flow. |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Shuswap |
| Sub-watershed if known | Hummingbird Creek |
| Aquifer # | |
| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
| Contact Name | BC Forest Practices Board |
| Contact Email | [email protected] |