Atmospheric River December 2025

We wish to thank the community for their efforts in minimizing water usage as District staff continue to manage high levels of flow throughout the drainage and wastewater systems. Though the weather has improved during the day today, the current forecast is predicting heavy rain and wind conditions throughout the night. We continue to ask residents and businesses to limit water usage to minimize the burden on the District’s wastewater collection system during the atmospheric river event. The District may conduct controlled releases of wastewater into the environment if required to help alleviate pressure at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and reduce risk of impacts to private properties. Water sampling and monitoring will continue as per District protocols.

Please note:

• Residents and businesses can help by minimizing water use by limiting dishwashing, washing clothes, taking long showers, and frequently flushing toilets.
• A self-serve sandbag station remains available for the public at Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
• As more rain is expected, the public is advised to be alert for water pooling on roads and washouts and to stay clear of fast‐flowing creeks and rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks.
• The Amblepath trail will remain closed as a precautionary measure at this time.
• During heavy rainfall, residents can help crews by clearing any debris from in front of catch basins or culverts near their homes if safe to do so.

We will provide an update tomorrow morning to advise residents and businesses of ongoing water usage restrictions. 
 

Due to ongoing weather conditions, the District has conducted a controlled release of wastewater into the Harris Slough to help alleviate pressure at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Our staff are working with the guidance of the Manager of Environmental Services to adhere to regulatory requirements related to the controlled release. Water sampling and monitoring are being conducted.
 
In an abundance of caution, the Amblepath trail has been temporarily closed and the public is advised to please keep pets out of the water near the Harris slough during this time.
 
As a reminder, please continue to limit water usage until further notice to minimize the burden on the District’s wastewater collection system.
 
We will provide an update tomorrow to advise residents and businesses of ongoing water usage restrictions.
 
Stay tuned to District socials for updates or by visiting this webpage. Sign up for emergency alerts at Squamish.ca/alert 

Thank you to all residents and businesses who helped limit water use so far. Please continue to minimize water usage until further notice to minimize the burden on the District’s wastewater collection system. We will continue to provide updates as the weather situation evolves.

The District of Squamish has activated the Emergency Operations Centre and is monitoring the situation and will continue to do so as conditions persist. District crews are currently working to address localized flooding and are monitoring Squamish dikes and river levels. Public Works staff are working to ensure all critical infrastructure, including the sewer collection systems and wastewater treatment plant, continue to operate effectively given the weather conditions. Where localized flooding is occurring, or if any residents and/or businesses are noticing sewer backups inside their homes or businesses, please report the issue to Public Works at 604-815-6868. 

During heavy rainfall and high stream flow events, the public is advised to be alert for water pooling on roads and washouts and to stay clear of fast‐flowing creeks and rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks. Residents can help with current conditions by clearing any debris from in front of catch basins or culverts near their homes if safe to do so.

A reminder that a self-serve sandbag station for the public is set up at Brennan Park Recreation Centre.

Please stay tuned to District socials or this webpage for updates and sign up for emergency alerts at squamish.ca/alert.

Due to extreme rainfall the District of Squamish sewer system is experiencing high flows and is at risk of becoming overwhelmed. As a precautionary measure to minimize impacts to local residents, all residents are being asked to limit unnecessary water use until noon today. This includes washing dishes, washing clothes, showering, and flushing toilets. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation. Updates will follow.

Residents, businesses, and visitors can sign up to Squamish Alert by visiting squamish.ca/alert and follow the prompts. 

Residents and businesses can help by reducing the following activities:

• Laundry
• Dishwashing
• Long showers or baths
• Frequent toilet flushing

District of Squamish Public Works crews have set up a self-serve sandbag station at the north end of Brennan Park Recreation Centre (Ball Field #5). Residents should bring a spade/shovel and help themselves. District shovels are available for use for those in need and should be left behind for the next in line.

In cases where the District’s Wastewater Treatment Plant is overwhelmed, overflow effluent may be proactively spilled into the environment to mitigate sewage backups to local residences and businesses. 

Should this be the case, local alerts, signage and regulatory reporting will be initiated as per District processes and in alignment with regulatory requirements.