Stock photo of Grizzly Dam courtesy of the RDNO

By Liam Verster

Reservoir Capacities Reached

Caution urged during annual dam spill

May 30, 2025 | 10:04 AM

North Okanagan residents are encouraged to use caution as the annual dam spill will take place over the weekend.

The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) said the Greater Vernon Water Haddo Dam was predicted to reach maximum capacity over the weekend of May 31 and June 1.

That could result in a spill, causing rapidly increasing flows to Duteau Creek Haddo Dam.

The RDNO has multiple reservoirs to store water, but they only hold a limited volume, and when the snow melts it causes them to overflow or “spill” into spillways.

The Greater Vernon Water Grizzly and Aberdeen Dams have reached their capacity and spilling into Haddo Dam, which was expected to reach its volume limit Friday, May 30, and start spilling into Duteau Creek.

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“Dams are designed to spill into the natural waterways once the reservoirs are full to protect against the dam overtopping,” Zee Marcolin, RDNO General Manager of Utilities, stated.

“This is the normal function of dams and reservoirs. Our concern is that the flow in Duteau Creek and downstream can increase unexpectedly and rapidly.”

The spill may cause water in creeks to rise rapidly and move more quickly at a higher volume.

People living or working near creeks were advised to be aware of, and be cautious around, the rising and faster moving water.