(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
May 19, 2018 - 2:39 PM
Okanagan Lake is expected to reach levels similar to last year in the coming weeks.
A media release sent out today, May 19, says the lake hit full pool today, which is the target set by the Province to ensure adequate water supply in the summer.
The predictions are based on continuously monitored variables including creek flows, rate of snowmelt, rainfall events and the amount of outflow at the Penticton outlet.
Private properties that experienced flooding last year are encouraged to take measures to protect their property by placing sandbags and removing items from basements and crawl spaces.
Sand and sandbags are available at cordemergency.ca/map.
Boat launches throughout Okanagan Lake remain open, however boaters are cautioned that lake levels are high and they should watch for floating debris as a significant amount has been flowing downstream into area lakes. Boaters should also keep their distance from shorelines and keep speeds down as additional wave action could cause disturbance to banks and beaches.
Debris washed up on beaches and along the foreshore should be left there for the time being. The logs and other wood material will help limit erosion caused by wave action. When the flood risk has passed, officials will provide notification of how the beach debris will be removed.
For municipal information such as water quality advisories, visit their websites:
City of Kelowna
City of West Kelowna
District of Lake Country
District of Peachland
Regional District of Central Okanagan
Westbank First Nation
For up-to-date information, including active evacuation alerts and orders across the Central Okanagan, as well as flood-preparedness resources, visit cordemergency.ca.
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