Creeks Lower, Lakes Higher

City of Vernon crews continue to monitor water levels on local creeks and lakes.

Staff say BX Creek levels are currently lower than they were last week, but could rise quickly with warm weather and snow melt.

“Residents along BX Creek are reminded to keep sandbags in place until the risk of flooding has passed,” says a City release.

Vernon Creek levels are elevated as water is being released out of Kalamalka Lake, and residents along the creek should be taking precautions to protect their property.

Photo: Kin Beach on Okanagan Lake

Okanagan Lake is is up 3 centimetres from Wednesday, inching closer to the record high.

The lake is just 2 centimetres below the 343 metre mark set in 1948.

“Homeowners along the lake are reminded to remain vigilant about changing conditions and keep flood protection in place until further notice,” says the release.

The City of Vernon has added a fifth location on Okanagan Landing Road for residents to get sand and sandbags.

The locations are:

Outside Operations main entrance off of Pleasant Valley Road

4005 Pleasant Valley Road

Corner of Okanagan Ave and Okanagan Landing Road (across from Marshall Fields)

Okanagan Hills Blvd and Bella Vista Road. intersection (entrance to the Rise community)

8974 Okanagan Landing Road

Boating is strongly discouraged on local lakes as levels are rising and swells in wind create more severe conditions.

Any boats still on lifts at docks should be removed. Launches on Tronson Road and Okanagan Landing Road remain open for this purpose.