FILE PHOTO - Okanagan Lake levels continue to threaten the current sandbag wall surrounding Green Bay in West Kelowna.
(JENNA HICKMAN / iNFOnews.ca)
June 04, 2017 - 4:54 PM
KELOWNA - Government officials now say Okanagan Lake may peak at 343.5 meters.
Residents around the lake should reassess the protective measures they’ve taken, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says in a press release, as the maximum predicted height of the lake has been adjusted. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural resources now estimates it could peak 27 cm above the level this morning, June 4, of 343.23 m.
While the amount of snowpack in the area is decreasing, slowing the rise, any major rain fall could create sharp increases. People should plan for 343.5 m in case it reaches that point, according to the press release.
The emergency operations centre will use the new estimate to assess vulnerable areas.
Property defences should also take into account wave action, and prepare for an extra 60 cm of water, up to 344.1 m.
Today 200,000 sandbags arrived to replenish supplies, and another 500,000 are expected on Tuesday, June 6.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Brendan Kergin or call 250-819-6089 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