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Excavators stationed along Kicking Horse in case they're needed

Authorities continue to monitor the ice jam situation on the Kicking Horse River, but hope Monday's warm weather will change the situation.
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Ice and snow is creeping closer to the Kicking Horse River Bridge on Wednesday (Dec. 14) afternoon.

Authorities from the Golden and Area Emergency Management Program, the Town of Golden, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Emergency Management BC, RCMP, Golden Fire Department, and Golden & District Search & Rescue continue to monitor the current ice jam in the Kicking Horse River within the community.

The ice jam remains in place with its height having changed in site-specific areas in the past 24 hours, indicating fluctuating water flows beneath it.

Both aerial and ground assessments were conducted on Dec. 15 with provincial authorities to better determine the level of concern and any mitigation work that should be done at this time to alleviate any future flooding potential.

Excavators have been stationed along the river bank and will be deployed should authorities believe this necessary. Barriers have been placed to block public vehicular access to the alley behind 9th Avenue North in the downtown.

Overnight monitoring will continue and further assessments will be conducted tomorrow.

A slight warming trend is now forecasted by Monday which is hoped to alleviate the obstruction effect of the ice jam.

Public safety remains a priority and people are encouraged to keep a safe distance from the Kicking Horse River as sudden movements of ice and materials within the river are very possible and unpredictable.

Additional updates will be provided as the situation changes.