By Corey Fischer

Lake Country Prepares For Flooding

Mar 28, 2018 | 2:30 PM

Lake Country is preparing to address potential flood risks.

After last year’s flooding and snowpack at 150% of normal, public works manager Matthew Salmon says they’ve been very proactive on emergency preparedness planning and mitigation work.

“District of Country staff continue to work on recovery projects from 2017 flooding as well as assessments, funding applications, infrastructure improvements plus ongoing monitoring and management of the upper watershed, lakes, creeks and snow levels,” says Salmon.

He says improvements to the drainage system are being made, and the levels of Beaver and Oyama Lakes are being drawn down

Salmon adds the intakes for Oyama and Vernon Creeks have both been cleaned and repaired after last year’s flood – both projects funded by Emergency Management BC.

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“An assessment of Middle Vernon Creek as it flows through Lake Country identified areas of creek bank erosion and large woody debris obstructions. The woody debris will be removed by an arborist. Water levels in the creek are not yet a concern.”

The District says coordinated work has also been ongoing with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, the River Forecast Centre, as well as liaising with Okanagan Indian Band and City of Kelowna to ensure a successful collaborative approach to mitigate risks.

Property owners along Middle Vernon Creek will be provided with information on actions they can take to address the potential risks caused by bank erosion.

Property owners are reminded they are responsible to protect their property from flooding.

“The District of Lake Country has a supply of sand bags and access to sand to enable a quick local response even before the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre is activated,” says Salmon. “Lake Country staff has been meeting with our Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) team members from neighbouring jurisdictions to make sure any EOC activation can be swift and effective.”

Residents of Lake Country are encouraged to check the District website (www.lakecountry.bc.ca) and subscribe to receive email updates and to follow the District’s social media pages.

File photo

by Corey Fischer