River Forecast Centre

Last updated on December 2, 2024

The River Forecast Centre analyses snowpack, assesses seasonal water supply and flood risk, and predicts flows in British Columbia’s rivers and streams. It produces a range of bulletins, maps and warnings to inform emergency managers and the public about current and upcoming streamflow conditions. 

Advisories

During periods of high flood risk, see the River Forecast Centre's warnings and advisories page for up-to-date information:

Current and forecast streamflows

Current streamflow conditions at all operational Water Survey of Canada (WSC) stations in the province are available from the following websites:

Upcoming (forecast) conditions in British Columbia's rivers are predicted by hydrological models operated by the River Forecast Centre. The list below provides a quick guide to selecting a forecast to view:

More information about the River Forecast Centre's forecast models is available at the link below:

Snow conditions

In collaboration with the British Columbia Snow Survey Program and other partner agencies, the River Forecast Centre assesses snowpack conditions for the province. Snow survey data is essential to predicting streamflow conditions, including floods and droughts.

During the annual snow accumulation and melt season from January to June, the River Forecast Centre publishes Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletins and Automated Snow Weather Station Commentaries. The bulletins provide analysis of current snow conditions at automated snow weather stations and manual snow survey sites, and forecasts of flood and low streamflow risk. The commentaries are a bi-weekly analysis of snow conditions based on automated snow weather station data. Bulletins, commentaries, and snowpack maps are available at the link below:

Additional information

For more information about the River Forecast Centre's operations, see the videos below.

Types of River Forecast Centre flood advisories

 

 

River Forecast Centre data overview

 

 

Introduction to the River Forecast Centre

 

 

Factors that lead to flooding in British Columbia

 

Contact information

For media requests, contact Government Communications and Public Engagement (Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship).

For other inquiries, see the B.C. Government Directory.