Lake finished rising; now wind on way
Okanagan Lake continues to slowly drop, but historically high levels remain a concern.
The lake dipped down 0.5 millimetres to 343.207 metres above sea level Friday morning.
“We’re still at historically high levels,” said Mandi Carroll, with the Central Okanagan emergency operations centre.
However, all the snow at mid and high elevations has melted, meaning there is no more snow to come down, she said.
Currently, officials are most concerned with high lake levels in the Okanagan and the potential for more flooding.
“The weather is always still a factor, so we need to keep flood protection measures in place for those areas that do have concerns,” said Carroll.
Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the Central, South and North Okanagan Friday morning, warning of high winds.
Southerly winds of 30 km/h to 50 km/h were expected over central and northern Okanagan Lake, while northerly winds of the same speed were expected over southern Okanagan Lake, Skaha Lake and Osoyoos Lake.
“With high water levels in the Okanagan, these winds will generate waves that could lead to shoreline flooding and erosion,” read the statement.
Officials have begun removing some sandbags along the creeks, and a recovery plan will likely be released next week, said Caroll.
With the exception of the foreshore, sandbags along properties that have not been in contact with water for at least two weeks are considered safe to be removed
in the following areas: Mill Creek upstream of Pandosy Street; Brandts Creek upstream of Richter Street; Fascieux Creek upstream of Gordon Drive; Middle Vernon Creek upstream of Woodsdale Road; all of Scotty Creek.
Residents wanting to drop off sandbags at their own cost can do so at Cook Road boat launch outside the Hotel Eldorado, the Apple Bowl parking lot and the Beasley Park parking lot.