FILE PHOTO- The city hopes to recieve provincial funding and permitting to make repairs to Penticton and Ellis Creeks before this spring's freshet gets underway.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

PENTICTON - With the approach of spring the City of Penticton is anxious to make repairs to damage to a pair of creeks caused by last spring’s flooding before this year’s freshet gets underway.

City Engineer Ian Chapman said the city has applied for 80 per cent funding to the Disaster Assistance Fund for pre-freshet repairs to Penticton and Ellis Creeks, estimated at $378,000.

“The work is scheduled to occur in the mid-March to mid-April period, but the actual start date is subject to receiving the necessary permits from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and confirmation of funding, both of which have been applied for but are still outstanding,” Chapman said in a email.

The city is planning to undertake a wide range of repair works on both creeks, including patching, removal of woody debris and materials deposited at problematic locations, in addition to placement of rock fill to stabilize voids created by the washing away of vulnerable materials along the creek’s banks.

Chapman says the city is considering a couple of options for Ellis Creek, depending on how severe this spring’s freshet turns out. Some of the work on that creek might be delayed until later in the year, if the freshet turns out to be modest in severity.

The city would realize a cost savings by not having to mobilize to the creek this spring, but would still have equipment on hand should a flood risk occur.

He also noted unanticipated ministry requirements for the spring work could result in an increase in estimated costs for the projects.

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