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A rising glacial lake has burst sending water towards a small community northeast of Pemberton, B.C.
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) issued an alert on Tuesday around 10 a.m. that the lake beside Place Glacier has started to drain.
“Technical experts have advised that the expected outburst of the ice-marginal lake in Place Glacier is underway,” states the alert.
Residents staying back to protect properties from glacial lake outburst near Pemberton, B.C.
Flood waters are likely to peak in Place Glacier’s downstream channels late in the day on Wednesday.
People are being asked to stay away from creeks and Gates Lake due to dangerous conditions, which are expected to include fast-moving water, debris, erosion, and unstable stream banks.
SLRD said the alert is being sent for the safety and awareness of all residents.
Homeowners in the area have been on alert for three weeks as the glacial lake could have burst at any moment.
Two dozen properties in the Poole Creek and Gates Lake area of Birken, roughly 30 kilometres northeast of Pemberton, were put on evacuation order on June 25.
Sensors and a B.C. Wildfire Service camera were set up at the lake to monitor its levels.
Outbursts also happened in 2024 and 2025.
During the flooding event two years ago, researchers estimate 100,000 cubic metres of water and debris came hurling down the mountain and split off towards Gates Lake and Poole Creek.
The SLRD said an embankment was strengthened this year to maintain the creek flow into its “natural and normal” alignment to Poole Creek and reduce it from going towards Gates Lakes.
No houses were damaged in the previous flood events.
More to come.
