Flood Ferry Disruptions, etc.

[Retrovision]

Translink has released this customer alert about the Albion ferry:

Albion Ferry

Albion Ferry operations could be affected this week due to the strain that rising water levels on the Fraser River places on the loading ramp hinges. Readings at the Mission gauge will be monitored to determine the steps that may have to be taken:
5.2 Metres Restrictions begin with heavy trucks no longer permitted on the ferries
5.25 Metres Boardings restricted to cars and passengers only
5.29 Metres Ferry service for all vehicles suspended; service for foot passengers may be permitted but service advisories will be issued to confirm

The Barriere ferry, according to CTV, is now closed due to heavy ammounts of debris coming down the North Thompson river.

[WettCoast]

I have never seen the main rivers in BC's North West as high as they are now. I have been unable to confirm this but I expect the Usk ferry near Terrace is out of service, or soon will be. I suspect reaction ferries in other parts of BC may be similarly affected.

In other flood related matters the 'Cranberry Connector' is now reported to be flooded in some areas. This is a rather poor gravel road between the Nass Valley near Aiyansh, and Hwy 37 north of Kitwanga. The mud/rock slide on the Yellowhead Hwy 16 between Terrace and Kitwanga, has forced some traffic to use the Cranberry Connector as an alternate route between Terrace and the interior. That slide is far from being cleaned up, but they do have the main hwy opened up three times daily for a total of 5 hours. The very high water on the Skeena may close the road completely again. Expected rain may also cause the mud slide to produce a second advance.

Sometimes life in Paradise can be complicated.

[kylefossett]

the albion ferry as of now is no longer taking vehicles over 5500kg gvw. this basically means no commerrcial vehicles permitted.
when the river at mission hits 6.8m then albion ferry will become foot passenger only. as of today the gauge at mission is 5.4m

[WettCoast]

Skeena River bridges at Terrace, BC, with the river in full flood.
The bridges in the foreground are CN Rail's Kitimat Sub, and the old Skeena Road bridge. The Usk reaction ferry (just 10 km upstream from Terrace, and the cable ferry there, are both shut down due to the flood. Terrace is pretty much cutoff from civilization now as the Yellowhead Hwy 16 is cut by flooding in both directions, and the rock and mudslide east of town also.
All that snow in the mountains has to melt some time.

[Shane]

The Big Bar, Little Fort, Lytton and McLure ferries are out of service due to high water levels on the Fraser River.
They will be out until further notice.

[NMcKay]

river hit 5.655 Meters... scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca/waterweb/main.asp

[Kam]

I just overheard a news conference call in the newsroom and apparently the Harrop Ferry has broken its cable.

No word on if the ferry actually broke loose..

[WettCoast]

Here is a photo taken last week of the Skeena River and the highway and railway that run along its banks.


The sign invites visitors - "When in Rupert stay at the Crest Hotel" Between the CN tracks and the sign there is no sign of the Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway #16...

More flood photos can be seen at:
s90.photobucket.com/albums/k268/wetcoastkidjst/misc/