An aerial shot of where Mission Creek flows into Okanagan Lake, just south of Mission Shores Lakeside Resort, where you can see sediment from the creek starting to build up.
Image Credit: Brenda Bachmann via YouTube
August 11, 2017 - 1:10 PM
KELOWNA - In order to preserve the shoreline in the Mission Creek area of Okanagan Lake, the City of Kelowna is looking into building a promenade, much like Vancouver’s seawall.
City staff are currently working with the Province to develop a plan and determine what types of shoreline treatment would best be suited for the area.
“In recent years, the shoreline stretching from the Mission Shores multi-family development to Rotary Beach Park has been subjected to alternating extremes of erosion and sedimentation, necessitating a series of frequent interventions by the City to maintain the usability and integrity of the public shorelines, boat launch and boardwalk,” said the Kelowna City staff report.
In the report to council, City staff say they plan to develop the area as Kelowna’s “water sport epicenter” and develop a “linear park and public promenade”.
The area is made up of private land owners, as well as the Cook Road boat launch, Eldorado Hotel and Marina, and Manteo Resort. Additionally, a development application is currently under review for the proposed Aqua Resort, which would be just south of the Cook Road boat launch.
The City would need the support of private land owners before moving forward with any plan.
Due to the sediment washing down Mission Creek, and building up at the creek’s mouth in Okanagan Lake, which neighbours the Cook Road boat launch, the City has to consistently dredge the area to maintain accessibility for boaters.
Implementing stabilization measurers would minimize this work, according to the report.
Possible measures the city is exploring include modified docks, offshore breakwaters, groynes, riparian edge, bypassing and a seawall.
While a meeting with the development applicant is scheduled for this month, introductory stakeholder meetings are planned for September. The intent of these meetings would be to work towards a group workshop session aimed at sharing the plans for the site.
The report to council is only expected to be presented in November, with the final report scheduled for February 2018.
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.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2017