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In early December 2007, a massive landslide deposited
approximately half a million cubic metres of rock and sediment into Chehalis Lake. The force of the material
entering the lake generated a wave that’s estimated to be 50 feet in
height in some places. The wave scoured much of the shoreline and inundated
three Ministry
of Tourism, Sport and the Arts campgrounds: Chehalis South, Skwellepil and Chehalis North.
The combination of landslide and wave also created a large
woody debris mat and is currently floating loose on the lake.
The Forest Service recognizes that this is a unique event in British
Columbia. The landslide site is still very unstable and should not be viewed as a
sightseeing opportunity until such time as the area is deemed
safe by qualified geoscientists.
In partnership with the
Chehalis
First Nations
Band;
Provincial
Emergency Preparedness; and the
Ministry of Environment,
the Forest Service is working to reduce the flooding hazard created by the
floating debris mat. To this end, a staging area is being established at the
Chehalis Lake south campground to assist crews and equipment to secure the
floating debris with log booms, with the intent to eventually dewater the
debris and dispose of it.
The Chehalis and Mystery Creek
Forest Service Roads will be closed until further notice. In the interest of
public and environmental safety, access is restricted to authorized
personnel only.
Journalists and news reporters interested in detailed information are
requested to contact Ms. Vivian Thomas of Public Affairs Branch, at (250)
387-5728.
This website will be updated periodically as the project progresses.
Pictures of the landslide area are available for
download.
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