Kelowna resident Blair Bosscher helps prepare for more flooding at a home on Okanagan Lake in Kelowna.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Judy Proskiw
May 18, 2017 - 5:30 PM
KELOWNA – Boaters everywhere are trying to decide what to do with their docked vessels.
The Central Okanagan Regional District says the lake could rise another meter at which point extensive flooding would be certain. Most docks will be underwater and even a small series of waves could push a boat off a lift.
Yanek Buksowicz owns a dock and lift company and he recommends his customers trailer and store their boats until the lake level drops.
That’s not as easy as it used to be.
The Regional District has issued a warning of extensive debris lurking in the lake and posing serious risks to boaters. And both the City of Kelowna and West Kelowna have urged residents to avoid boating near the shore as the slightest wake temporarily increases the lake level enough to swamp barricades set up on the shore.
A dock on Okanagan Lake in Peachland is submerged by rising water, Wednesday, May 17, 2017.
(MARSHALL JONES / iNFOnews.ca)
There are only four boat launches in Kelowna. The Water Street Boat Launch at 1354 Water Street, Sutherland Bay Park at 700 Ellis Street, Cedar Creek Park at 5200 Lakeshore Road and Cook Road Boat Launch by the Eldorado Hotel.
The City of West Kelowna has opened Shannon Lake Road over McDougall Creek and Gellatly Road over Powers Creek to single-lane alternating traffic. A media release says the Gellatly Boat Launch will be open “in time for the Victoria Day long weekend.”
Gellatly Road from Witt Road to Angus Drive remains closed indefinitely.
The Gellatly Boat Launch will open today, May 18.
“Residents who have taken steps to prepare their properties for flood are asked to leave flood mitigation measures in place and not to remove debris on beaches at this time. The debris can act as a cushion for waves and reduce sand erosion.”
Do you know of a boat launch in our area that is open? Add it the comment section below.
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