Two Fraser Valley mayors are warning that rivers in the region will rise this week, with warmer temperatures and more rain in the forecast for southwestern B.C.

Heavy rain is predicted for Thursday, followed by temperatures climbing into in the teens melting the mountain snowpack.

There are concerns the warmer weather will melt the snowpack, raising the level of the Fraser River to flood levels.
(CBC)

The Fraser River Watershed Basin snowpack has been estimated at 125 per cent of an average winter.

Premier Gordon Campbell announced over the weekend that the province was providing communities with $33 million to help provide better protection.

But Delta Mayor Lois Jackson told CBC Radio's The Early Edition that's not enough, and that much more work needs to be done.

"We've been hounding senior levels for many years, since they basically quit dredging. In other words, there's just no capacity left in the trench of the river to hold the water that's expected to come down.

In Chilliwack, where the province has provided $2 million for flood protection, Mayor Clint Hames agrees the river needs to be dredged.

He also told CBC Radio that the $33 million from Victoria is just a fraction of what's needed, just in his community.

"Just to raise the dikes in our area adequately was a $23-million bill, and there's a pump station required which is a further $10 million," said Hames.