Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
1.
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
Event Overview
This storm commenced mid-afternoon on December 8th and, passed by December 11th by approximately 8 am. A rain gauge in
Seymour watershed (Metro Vancouver) between Dec 8th and 11th indicates 375 mm total rainfall, with highest intensity of 19 mm
per hour for the system between these dates. Average temperatures in at the Pemberton fire base during this time is approximately
3.5 degrees, with a max temperature on the 9th of 8.5 degrees. Snow pillows in the area indicate a similar snowpack in comparison
to last year which is slightly less than average. Freezing levels were over 2,000 meters resulting in a significant rain on snow event.
Environment Canada 8 Day Precipitation Map
1
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
Real-Time Hydrometric Data Graph for SQUAMISH RIVER NEAR BRACKENDALE (08GA022) [BC]: Environment Canada
Automated Snow Pillow Real-Time Data: River Forecast Centre
2
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
2.
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
General Location of Event
Several locations in the Sea to Sky Natural Resource District were affected by this storm although most of the damage sustained was
concentrated on the In-SHUCK-ch and Lillooet West Forest Service Roads. Below is a list of some of the more significant locations
that have been reported to date and some pictures of some of these sites:
Forest Service
Road
In-SHUCK-ch
KM
Description of Damage
1
Road repair required due to diversion of water from Highway 99 (Duffy)
In-SHUCK-ch
2.2
$150,000
In-SHUCK-ch
12
Approximately 200 meters of fill slope stabilization required to achieve road
width
Upstream stream avulsion requires new culverts, road works and ditching
In-SHUCK-ch
18.8
$150,000
In-SHUCK-ch
19.5
Upstream stream avulsion requires new bridge. Existing bridge
compromised (light traffic only!)
200 meters of channeling and rip rap required due to slide debris
In-SHUCK-ch
28
Upstream stream avulsion requires new culverts, road works and ditching
In-SHUCK-ch
57
IR project, deep fill, arch culvert seriously compromised
$250,000
In-SHUCK-ch
73
Fan evulsion requires training berm upstream
$150,000
In-SHUCK-ch
Cleanup of sumps, ditches and road works at various locations
$300,000
Lillooet West
Various
Locations
34
Upstream stream avulsion requires new culverts, road works and ditching
$50,000
Lillooet West
44-59
Localised flooding, new culverts required. Road lift may be required
$10,000
Lillooet West
58
$150,000
Lillooet West
63
Road reconstruction required. Fill slope failure has eroded half the road;
potentially impassable
Debris slide has damaged bridge, replacement required
Lillooet West
Cleanup of sumps, ditches and road works at various locations between 34
and 64 km
Minor slide requires cleanup
$100,000
$460,000
Furry Creek
Various
Locations
4
$35,000
$35,000
Lillooet River
26
Minor slide requires cleanup
$15,000
$15,000
Mamquam
13
Minor slide requires cleanup
$15,000
$15,000
Squamish River
16
Squamish River
25
Major road reconstruction required, road currently impassable. 200 m of rip
rap required
Terminal Creek slide repair
Squamish River
Various
Locations
Various
Locations
1
Stawamus
Indian
Wedge
Approximate
Cost
Sub Total / Road
$10,000
$15,000
$120,000
$15,000
$1,160,000
$150,000
$100,000
$10,000
Minor slides requiring cleanup
$20,000
$130,000
Minor slides requiring cleanup
$50,000
$50,000
Minor slide requires cleanup
$10,000
$10,000
Total Cost: $ 1,875,000
*Note: the table above captures known issues on Forest Service Roads at this time this report was prepared, and does not include damage to Road
Permit roads.
3
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
In-SHUCK-ch FSR 1 km (Complete road washout due to diversion of creek from Highway 99)
In-SHUCK-ch FSR 2.2 km (200 meters of fill slope failure)
4
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
In-SHUCK-ch FSR 12 km (Slide across road for 200 meter due to upstream avulsions, several culverts required)
5
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
In-SHUCK-ch FSR 19 km (Bridge severely undermined, and road bed washed out. Bridge replacement required)
6
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
In-SHUCK-ch FSR 19.5 km (Debris torrent plugged bridge, creek diverted either side of structure, channeling and rip-rap required
upstream for approximately 200 meters. Top photo shows during the event, lower picture shows temporary repair)
7
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
In-SHUCK-ch (Typical road and culvert washouts, numerous locations between 0 and 82 km)
In-SHUCK-ch FSR 54 km (Arch culvert severely damaged. Lock blocks undermined and culvert is no longer resting on base, causing
failure on road, requires structure replacement.)
8
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
In-SHUCK-ch FSR 73 km (Clockwise: Fire Creek overflow during storm, Fire Creek overflow after, Fire Creek overflow from above)
9
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
Lillooet West FSR 44 to 63 km. (Numerous locations affected due to slides, bridge damage, plugged culverts and fill slope failures).
10
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
Lillooet River FSR 26 km (Debris slide)
Squamish River 16 km (Road washout of approximately 200 meters)
11
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
Squamish River 25 km (Terminal Creek slide)
Stawamus / Indian River (Multiple slides)
Furry Creek 4 km (Debris slide)
12
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations
3.
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
DECEMBER 2014
STORM DAMAGE
REPORT Version 2
Current Status
On December 12th and 13th FLNR conducted two flights, the first concentrated on the In-SHUCK-ch and Lillooet West. This flight was
flown with Pierre Friele, Professional Geoscientist with Cordilleran Geoscience, to ensure there were no imminent safety risks to
crews carrying out the cleanup. No significant upslope safety issues were noted. The second flight was conducted in the Squamish
area to inspect those roads close, such as Mamquam, Stawamus / Indian, and Britannia FSRs. A third flight was conducted on
December 13th by Jeff Fisher of Sqomish Forestry on the Squamish River FSR.
On the In-SHUCK-ch FSR, rough 4x4 access to all communities was re-established December 13th to light traffic only due to down
rated bridge at 19 km and washout at 73 km, Fire Creek. Full access is anticipated by December 22nd.
The Mamquam FSR slide was cleaned up by road users immediately and the Squamish River FSR is being repaired and anticipated to
be opened within the next week.
4.
Actions Planned
The priority at this point is to remain concentrating on those roads accessing communities. All FLNR efforts are currently focused on
replacing the structure at 19 km on the In-SHUCK-ch FSR with a temporary structure to allow unimpeded use. At this point, access
for the school bus and industrial traffic is limited due to the restricted load rating. Secondary to this structure, is the work required
to ensure there is not another washout at Fire Creek. This work is planned to take several days to complete.
Funding requests are ongoing and are being coordinated by the Regional Engineering Group lead, Gino Fournier. An estimate for all
the damage associated with this storm of approximately 1.8 million dollars was put forward on December 14 th.
5.
Resources Committed
Beyond district FLNR staff, Coast Area Regional Bridge Engineers have been brought in to assist in the replacement of the structure
at 19 km. Heavy equipment is being utilised at numerous locations along the In-SHUCK-ch and Lillooet West FSRs. Once the InSHUCK-ch FSR access has been re-established, the second phase will include dealing with any environmental issues on the Lillooet
West, re-establishing cross drainage on all roads and dealing with any fill slope damage.
6. Report Prepared By:
Malcolm Schulz, Engineering Officer
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