Don’t be alarmed by overflowing Grizzly Dam
If you see a reservoir dam overflowing in the North Okanagan, don't worry, it's expected at this time of year.
"We know there have been some reports that the dam breached, but that is not true," said Zee Marcolin, general manager of utilities for the North Okanagan regional district in a news release.
"“Dams are designed to spill into the natural waterways once the reservoirs are full to protect against the dam overtopping. This is the normal function of dams and reservoirs, and our staff closely monitor this process"
The Greater Vernon Water Grizzly Dam has reached its maximum capacity and is spilling into Haddo Dam.
Haddo dam was expected to reach its maximum capacity Thursday and start spilling into Duteau Creek.
Aberdeen Dam is expected to fill in the next few weeks. It flows to the Haddo dam and then into Duteau Creek.
“A dam spilling is very different from a dam breaching. A dam breach would be an emergency situation while the dam spilling is a routine function that occurs every spring when the snow melts,” said Marcolin.
But it does mean there's a lot of water flowing down area creeks , which could rise quickly, and people should be careful around waterways.
The regional district's utilities department is also building a wave-breaking wall to protect the Mabel Lake Pump House from potential damage caused by flooding.
“Since the pump house that supplies water to Mabel Lake Water customers is right beside the lake, it’s vulnerable to wave action and high water levels,” said Marcolin. “Wave damage to the building could cause major issues as this is the only water source for Mabel Lake customers.”
The Okanagan Weekend