River Forecast Centre

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:

• Flood Warnings and Advisories
• Provincial Freshet and Flood Status (PDF - 268 KB) - June 20th, 2024 (final release for the 2024 freshet season)

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:

• Map of current streamflow conditions for all real-time WSC stations in British Columbia
• Water Survey of Canada's real-time hydrometric data

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:

• Year-round conditions at over 400 locations across the province: 10-day CLEVER Model forecast
• Fall and winter coastal flood season streamflows: 5-day COFFEE Model forecast
• Fraser River spring freshet streamflows and water levels: WARNS Model forecast (PDF, 103KB)
• Low flow season streamflows: 30-day ELF Model forecast

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

• Current and forecast streamflow conditions in British Columbia

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:

• Snow Conditions and Water Supply Bulletins (Updated December 16, 2024)

Additional information

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