Lynx Creek and Brenot Creek Water Advisory
Residents of the Lynx Creek area downstream of the confluence with Brenot Creek are advised not to drink the water from the creeks until further notice due to a mudslide in the area. Residents upstream of the slide area, approximately 3.5 kilometers northwest of the confluence of Lynx Creek and Brenot Creek, are advised to undergo normal creek water disinfection before drinking. The District of Hudson’s Hope water system is not affected by this advisory.
There is a low risk to well users in the area, however if people have questions they can contact their local environmental health officer at 250-263-6000.
Users of water downstream on the Peace River should take precautions if the water seems cloudy or if there is any unusual taste or odour. The plume of sediment from Lynx will eventually disperse throughout the Peace, and will become inconsequential, but how far downstream that full-mixing will occur is not known and difficult to estimate. The water issues are associated directly with the naturally occurring landslide.
An initial do not consume advisory was issued by the District of Hudson’s Hope on September 11, 2014. A following investigation conducted at Brenot Creek and Lynx Creek identified a mudslide near Brenot Creek that is causing the creek water to be muddy and heavily turbid. The investigation was a partnership between the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, Ministry of Environment, BC Oil and Gas Commission, Northern Health and the District of Hudson’s Hope. Testing continues on the water sources and further information will be provided as it becomes available.
The Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture encourage farmers to find an alternative water source for livestock until sediment levels decrease. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the regional agrologist at 250-261-5967.
Media Contact: NH media line – 1-877-961-7724
Background Summary of the Water Quality of Brenot Creek and Lynx Creek
A resident, late last week, observed a substance surfacing into the Brenot Creek. Samples of the water were taken and the results were passed on to the District of Hudson’s Hope. We observed that the contaminant levels, (including heavy metals), exceeded Canadian Water Quality Guidelines. We notified the Ministry of Environment and we issued a water advisory not to use the water from Brenot Creek and Lynx Creek for drinking water, for livestock watering, and irrigation.
At this time we cannot comment on the water quality of water wells that are within the proximity of the contaminated site. We have a hydro-geologist coming in on Tuesday to conduct more testing of the Lynx Creek watershed. We will post information and inform the public as to the quality of water in the Lynx Creek watershed as we receive it.
Thank-you.
Contacts
District Office
Contact:
Crystal Brown, CAO
9904 Dudley Drive,
Hudson’s Hope, BC
V0C 1V0
Tel: 250-783-9901 Ext. 212
cao@hudsonshope.ca
Northern Health
Dr. Charl Badenhorst
Tel: (250) 793-2780
charl.badenhorst@northernhealth.ca
