With the recent number of storms, high water and flood events in many areas of the Coast Mountains Natural Resource District, members of the public are reminded to use caution when driving on backcountry and forest service roads.

Now that the Okanagan region is recovering from high water levels and spring flooding, provincial government staff are available to support local governments, businesses and residents in their recovery efforts.

The Okanagan Lake Regulation System is a multi-lake, multi-purpose system, owned by the Province and managed and operated by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

Increasing water levels will lead to more flooding this week along the Nicola Lake and river.

Residents along Nicola Lake are asked to take steps to protect their properties from localized flooding, expected to occur later this week.

The public is being asked to prepare for localized flooding as water levels in Nicola Lake and river rise due to increased snowmelt and higher than normal rain levels throughout April.

Under the BC Rural Dividend, the Province is providing a total of $358,332 to Shxw'owhamel First Nation, Yale First Nation, Boston Bar, Village of Harrison Hot Springs and the Hope & Area Transition Society, Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness announced.

As part of the public safety funding announced in February 2016, the Province is committing $7.65-million in funding towards upgrading the Coquitlam dike and protecting homes and land at risk of flooding from high water levels in the Pitt River.

To better understand and mitigate the impacts of flooding along the Fraser River and southern coast as identified in Phase One of the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy, the Province of British Columbia is working collaboratively with all partners in the strategy and with the Fraser Basin Council by committing $1 million in funding to assist with implementation of Phase Two.