Highway 97A south from Sicamous has been reopened to traffic after a temporary closure earlier Thursday, says a statement from the Shuswap Emergency Program
“Early this morning, highway crews noticed a sudden and dramatic drop in Sicamous Creek levels and stream flow combined with discolouration,” the statement said. “As a safety precaution, the highway was closed to traffic until a geotechnical engineer could do an aerial inspection of upstream portions of the creek.
“At approximately 11 a.m. the geotechnical engineer reported to the Shuswap Emergency Program Emergency Operation Centre that Sicamous Creek had been impacted by a small landslide into an upper portion of the creek.”
According to the statement bout 2,000 cubic metres of sand and dirt had restricted an upstream portion of Sicamous Creek, slowing the water flow, but the engineer said it was not a threat to the community or to workers in the area.
“Residents may notice the water levels and flows in the creek area may fluctuate and the water will have higher turbidity than normal,” the statement said.
Currently the highway is open to alternating traffic due to construction.
Residents remain on evacuation alert in the area and should be ready to leave on short notice.
