Barges have been launched to clear flood debris from Central Okanagan lakes | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kelowna News

Barges have been launched to clear flood debris from Central Okanagan lakes

Crews are working around the Okanagan to clean up debris from the flooding.

CENTRAL OKANAGAN - With water levels continuing to fall, crews are working to remove debris from area lakes.

Unclaimed broken docks, unregistered boats, large trees, garbagem barrels and other large debris will be removed by crews using barges, according to a Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre media release.

Any debris that residents do not want removed should be clearly marked with ‘do not remove’, so crews know to leave it behind,” officials say in the release. “If possible, use fluorescent orange flagging tape or paint.”

Pilings and damaged docks continue to remain the responsibility of the homeowner.

On Thursday, barges were working at McKinley Landing on Okanagan Lake in Kelowna. They'll be moving across the lake to Westside Road and then to Lake Country later in the week. Starting Friday, another contractor will be working at the south end of Wood Lake, moving towards Kalamalka Lake.

Yard waste debris can be put into curbside yard waste bins, or taken to the Glenmore landfill, the Westside Residential Waste Disposal and Recycling Centre, or the transfer stations at Traders Cove and North Westside, Emergency Operations says.

Waterfront residents can start to lower their sandbag walls, however officials continue to say residents should take precautions when doing so by wearing N95 respirators, nitrile gloves and rubber boots. Sandbags should be taken to the curb, and separated into burlap bag piles and polypropylene bags piles.

“Under no circumstances should sandbags be emptied into any creeks, lakes, wetland, beaches or other watercourses as outlined in the Water Sustainability Act,” officials say. “The impact can destroy fish habitat and affect drinking water supply, infrastructure, flood control, navigation and recreational activities.”

To sign up for sandbag pick-up go here.

For the very latest information go to the Central Okanagan Emgerency Operations website.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Jenna Hickman or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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