Flood Update: Lake Levels Still Rising; ‘Lake Toyota’ Remains

Officials are closely watching the levels of local lakes including Okanagan which is up 2.5 centimetres from Thursday.

City of Vernon spokesperson Tanya Laing Gahr says, as a result, they are still on flood alert.

“However, the boat launches at Tronson and Eastside are remaining open until further notice. And one of the reasons for that is we do understand there are people who do have boats on the water, and they need a way to get them off,” Laing Gahr tells Kiss FM.

Photo: Kin Beach on Okanagan Lake. The lake levels continue to rise. (Tom Mark photo)

The Paddlewheel Park launch, which is operated by the regional district, is closed, along with the ones at the north end of Kalamalka Lake due to the high levels.

Meantime, the city is aware of the huge amount of water on 48th Avenue.

“We are pumping water as fast as w can, but one of the things that is happening is that it’s refilling. We will be re-working the storm line once were passed this current crisis, but we do want residents to know that we are aware of it,” says Laing Gahr.

Laing Gahr says the water is coming from the Swan Lake basin, and the water may remain on that road until the levels go down.

Laign Gahr says the big pool of water has been dubbed by some “Lake Toyota,” as its next to the Vernon Toyota dealership.

In another incident, a storm water outflow rose to the surface near Adventure Bay Thursday night.

“We did have some contract divers go out to mark it so that they could take care of it, and the line sank again on its own overnight,” says Laing Gahr.

She says an inspection is underway on the outflow, with work to secure it to take place when the levels go down.