Paddlewheel Park Boat Launch Closed

The boat launch at Paddlewheel Park has been closed because of rising lake levels.

Regional District of North Okanagan Board Chair Bob Fleming says the move is precautionary

“Essentially due to safety concerns and issues about people being on the water. I think the tone of it was really to kind of send a message that there’s a serious issue on Okanagan lake in particular right now.”

There’s a huge amount of debris in the lakes right now.

The other concern is that wave action can damage property shorelines.

In many areas, the water is up to dock levels and people have reported damage to sandbag dikes they have put up.

Fleming wasn’t in favour of the move though

” You know, I don’t think closing Paddlewheel necessarily will solve it, but I do agree it will send a message there is a serious concern people should be aware of it. My concern was it will just send people to other launches. None of them have parking.”

The boat launches on Kalamalka Lake were closed earlier this week