Glacial lake near Pemberton bursts sending flood water to small community

Glacial lake near Pemberton bursts sending flood water to small community

A rising glacial lake has burst sending water toward small community northeast of Pemberton

A rising glacial lake has burst sending water toward 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 had started to drain.

"Technical experts have advised that the expected outburst of the ice-marginal lake in Place Glacier is underway," it states.

Residents staying back to protect properties from glacial lake outburst near Pemberton, B.C.

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An evacuation order issued last week ahead of the lake bursting, remains in place. It covers two dozen properties in the Poole Creek and Gates Lake area of Birken, roughly 30 kilometres northeast of Pemberton.

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.

Evacuation order remains in place near Pemberton, B.C., due to overflowing glacial lake

Sensors and a B.C. Wildfire Service camera were set up at the lake to monitor its levels.

Brian Menounos, a geography professor at the University of Northern B.C. and affiliate scientist with Hakai Institute, said experts have "fairly moderate confidence" that the peak flows will come later in the day Wednesday — but it's still uncertain how fast the channel beneath the glacier could grow.

Menounos stressed that the June 25 evacuation order should be taken seriously.

"Nobody likes to be removed from their properties," he said.

"And, as a scientist, my heart goes out to people that have to relocate, especially getting close to Canada Day. However, you know, it's really in the best interest to keep everyone safe."

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 toward 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 toward Gates Lakes.

No houses were damaged in the previous flood events.

Don Coggins, who lives beside Poole Creek, has decided to forgo the evacuation order for his property. He said he's ready to leave, but wants to protect his property, which flooded during both the 2024 and 2025 outbursts.

"This is our home, we bought out here 10 years ago, and this was where we planned to retire, and I'm not about to give it up," Coggins said.

He said there is a sense of relief now that the outburst has started.

"At least we can deal with whatever comes our way instead of just sitting here and waiting," he added. "When it lets go completely, then it will be a flood, no matter what we do."

Alanna Kelly is a CBC News journalist based in Squamish, B.C., covering the Sea-to-Sky region, including Whistler, Pemberton and the Sunshine Coast. You can email story ideas to alanna.kelly@cbc.ca.