A warning has been issued by experts regarding a glacial lake near Pemberton, B.C., which is at risk of bursting, causing flooding in the vicinity. Approximately two dozen properties in the Poole Creek and Gates Lake area of D’Arcy and Birken, situated about 30 kilometers northeast of Pemberton, have been placed under evacuation alert since Sunday. The monitoring systems at a lake near Place Glacier indicate that the lake’s depth has reached a critical level of 24 meters, the same level observed during a previous outburst in 2025. Should the water level reach 30 meters, an evacuation order will be issued by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, according to board chair Jen Ford.
Ford emphasized the importance of readiness, urging residents to have evacuation plans in place in light of the recurring events over the past two years. Though no properties were damaged in the incidents of glacial lake outbursts in 2024 and 2025, the community remains on alert. The ongoing outbursts are anticipated until the glacier has completely receded, with officials closely monitoring lake depth using pressure sensors and cameras installed at the site.
Scientists, including research scientist Jeff Crompton from the Geological Survey of Canada, are keeping a close eye on water levels at the high-altitude lake adjacent to the glacier. When an outburst occurs, water flows underneath the glacier, eventually reaching Place Creek, which runs parallel to Pemberton Portage Road where the at-risk properties are located. The timing of these outbursts remains uncertain, with experts like Brian Menounos from the University of Northern British Columbia emphasizing the inevitability of the events.
Efforts to mitigate the potential risks, including creek realignment in 2026, have been supported by the B.C. Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. However, the ministry has decided against using explosives to drain the lake due to uncertainties surrounding the effectiveness and potential geotechnical impacts in alpine terrain. Despite the challenges, the ongoing study of Place Glacier serves as a valuable model for understanding and preparing for similar events in other glacier sites across British Columbia.