With last year’s flooding fresh in mind and a snowpack near 150% of normal levels, everyone wants to know about flood mitigation and preparedness work happening in the community.
“We have been very proactive on emergency preparedness planning as well as mitigation work,” said Matthew Salmon, Public Works Manager. “District of Lake 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.”
Improvements to the drainage system are being made. Beaver Lake and Oyama Lake levels are being drawn down by staff in preparation for freshet and with consideration to the snow pack level at 150% of normal. Oyama Creek and Vernon Creek intakes have both been cleaned and repaired after the 2017 flood – both projects funded by Emergency Management BC. 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.
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.
“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,” said 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.”