Okanagan Lake’s natural areas could disappear

Special to the Herald

All the remaining natural areas along Okanagan Lake could be developed in the next generation or two, regional directors heard last night.

Currently, about 41 per cent of the lake’s 290 kilometres of shoreline is in a natural state, regional officials say. But the pace of development, in the form of such things as docks and marinas, has raised some concerns.

“Increased development around the lake is affecting natural areas and their associated ecological functions,” writes Todd Cashin, regional director of community services.

Between 2009 and 2016, 165 new retaining walls, 164 docks and nine new marinas were built on the lake between Penticton and Vernon.

Looking forward, officials say that “at the current rate of land development, the natural areas around the lake that are not located in parks or protected areas could be completely lost to development in 40 to 160 years.”

“This large range reflects the fact that development rates go up and down from year to year. However, without any changes, all of the remaining unprotected natural shoreline along Okanagan Lake could be lost within the next generation or two,” Cashin writes in his report.

Regional directors were to consider authorizing a new public outreach program, aimed at the general community but with a special focus on lakeshore property owners, that emphasizes the importance of preserving as much natural waterfront as possible.

A “Resource for Okanagan Lakeshore Living” contains information such as what types of indigenous plants are best suited for the waterfront, the inadvisability of creating artificial sand beaches, explanations of how retaining walls can actually increase erosion, not planting high-maintenance lawns near the water’s edge, and leaving as many deeply-rooted large trees and shrubs as possible on the lakeshore.

As well, a demonstration project at Bertram Creek Regional Park in Kelowna will show the ways in which the shoreline, damaged by last year’s high water levels, can be returned to a more natural state.