The Port Haney boat launch in Maple Ridge is closed but that didn't stop some people from climbing over the locked and chained railing next to the swollen Fraser River on Sunday evening.

With the water flow at about 11,000 cubic metres per second, District of Maple Ridge communications manager Fred Armstrong said it's "inconceivable" that people would put themselves at risk by climbing onto a closed dock.

"God forbid anyone fell in - they'd be swept away," he said.

Armstrong said he was shocked also to see a parent encouraging her tweens to climb over the barricaded boat launch.

A high streamflow advisory has been issued for the lower Fraser Valley by the BC River Forecast Centre.

However, the Fraser River level has dropped since Sunday, but it is expected to rise again this weekend, reaching between six and 6.6 metres at the Mission gauge.

In 2007 when water levels were rising sparking fears of a flood, the river peaked at 6.015 metres.

Dike inspections are taking place twice daily in Maple Ridge and an evacuation alert was put in place on Friday for 43 properties on Wharf Street.

In Pitt Meadows, eight properties outside the diking area have received evacuation alerts, including three float homes.

There are 17 evacuation alerts across the province.

Pitt Meadows has activated a "low-level" emergency operations centre "in support of field crews," according to City spokesperson Lorna Jones.

The Katzie First Nation in Pitt Meadows built a berm along the Fraser River last week, which elder Willie Pierre estimated was two miles long.

Pierre estimated the water had risen 12 feet as he toiled with a work crew to line up the sandbags.

Pierre called the berm built along the river the "magical diaper" that would keep the water out of the Katzie residential area, which is not diked.

In Maple Ridge, crews built a berm on Tamarack Lane with concrete blocks and sandbags - that they were filling on site - to keep the water from Kanaka Creek from flooding the area.

Some road flooding has occurred on 224th north of 136th Street at Blaney Bog after heavy rains inundated the area late Saturday afternoon.

Chris Duffy with Emergency Management B.C. warned people to remain "extra vigilant" and stay away from rivers and streams.

He pointed out that in addition to the strong current, rivers are also carrying debris and shorelines can be unstable.

Armstrong reiterated the warning to keep children and pets close at-hand if near the river.

Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin said residents should heed warnings from the BC River Forecast Centre.

"While the predicted Fraser River levels did not materialize in 2007, it is important that people take the appropriate steps to protect their families, pets, businesses and personal possessions," Daykin said. "I'd rather apologize that someone was 'too prepared' than 'unprepared' for the pulse of water we are expecting."

Daily updates are being posted at www.mapleridge.ca and www.pittmeadows.bc.ca.

mrantanen@mrtimes.com