The rate of river level rise in the South Thompson watershed is slowing, a sign the peak of snowmelt has been reached.

But B.C. River Forecast Centre said Thursday that rainfall in the coming days remains the wildcard that could cause flooding in some regional areas.

“We’re getting our peak of the melting snow,” said river forecaster Dave Campbell. “Our issue is heavy rainfall and the fact we’re at a seasonal high.”

That combination gives little room for the system to handle significant rainfall.

Environment Canada is calling for a low-pressure system to move off the Coast, sending wet weather here Saturday. In some places that rain may be 30 to 50 millimetres. The question remains exactly where it will dump.

“We need to see where that rain falls, and how much,” Campbell said.

There are also indications the wet weather may end sooner early next week than previously thought.

Current river levels prompted authorities to close local rivers to boat traffic.

Police are especially worried that a boat could flip and become trapped against the CN rail bridge. Also, the wake from vessels could damage shoreline properties.

The closure affects the area from Halston to Lafarge to Kamloops Lake.

RCMP said boaters who fail to comply could face charges.

City works crews have also placed sand and gravel piles up to 1.5 metres in height on about 100 storm drain covers in low lying areas of the North Shore to prevent river water from coming up.

Crews have also brought in pumps to the dike near Oak Dale trailer park in Westsyde, which is experiencing seepage. The City is also placing sandbags along Schubert Drive near Halston bridge as a precaution.

The Shuswap Emergency Program has asked boaters on the lake to slow down because wakes are causing damage to shorelines already hit hard by flooding.