From David Lamson, Chilliwack River Action Committee:

Sometime early this morning January 7 about half of the predicted slump (slide) came down, an estimated 15,000 cubic meters, at the downstream end of the Tolmie Slide into the Chilliwack River blocking approximately 3/4 of it's course. No one has been reported to have been below the slide at the time and there was no impact on residential areas. A local area fisherman reported that at 8:00 am downstream 1/2 km the river was very muddy and carrying debris flow material.

I expect the snow load on the trees and a gust of wind rocking them vibrated the ground and triggered the slump. A slump of the remainder of the cracked area is imminent. This could occur at anytime.

A number of local residents have been informed of the danger and asked to warn fishermen as fishing on the bar below the slide is very dangerous.

An engineer from Golder Associates and I visited the top of the slide area last night between 4:00 and 4;30 pm yesterday and observed the cracks and knew a slide was immanent, but did not know it would happen this soon.

The upstream 3/4 of the Tolmie Slide (approximately 350 meters) where the slide toe is protected by groynes remains stable and no cracks are showing. These groynes have worked well and without them the entire slide area would likely be unstable. The plan of the Chilliwack River Action Committee to complete the stabilization of the downstream end of the Tolmie slide area next summer will be now be more urgent.

I recommend that in the meantime signs be erected on each of three trails leading to the river in this area as soon as possible.

David Lamson
Electoral Area Emergency Coordinator and President
Chilliwack River Action Committee