Stay Away From Stream Banks & Avoid Boating

The Regional District of North Okanagan is cautioning residents to stay away from river and stream banks and avoid boating over the weekend.

The caution is due to the flooding potential due to rain and high water levels.

After last week’s flooding and a possible storm this afternoon, RDNO is asking residents to stay away from rivers and stream banks, and be cautious if cleaning entrances to culverts due to strong water flows.

“With the water this high, the wake created by boating can cause additional water damage to delicate, unprotected shoreline” says Alastair Crick, Regional District Protective Services Manager. “For this reason we are asking people to avoid boating this weekend, if possible.”

For residents in the Regional District electoral areas, water that is threatening a home due to overflowing ditches can be reported to the Ministry of Transportation’s contractor through their 24 hour emergency number: 1-877-546-3799.

If the water is not a threat to the house, residents are asked to wait for natural dissipation of the water, as equipment and staff are limited.

People are also permitted to assist in clearing small blockages in the ditches with hand tools, such as shovels, but no machinery is allowed without Ministry of Transportation authority.

Any culverts or pipes beneath property access roads is not the responsibility of MoT, but the property owner; however people are being reminded to use caution if cleaning entrances to culverts due to hazardous conditions created by strong water flows.

Sand and bags, with shovels for filling bags, are available at the following locations:

City of Enderby, RDNO Electoral Area F
Enderby Works Yard 2308 McGowan Ave., Enderby
RDNO Electoral areas B and C
BX Swan Lake Fire Dpt. 5764 Silver Star Rd.
Village of Lumby, RDNO Areas D and E Across from Pat Duke Arena, Shields Ave., Lumby
District of Coldstream Coldstream Works Yard – 8010 Aberdeen Road.