The City of West Kelowna has opened Shannon Lake Road over McDougall Creek and Gellatly Road over Powers Creek to single-lane alternating traffic.
The City is also preparing to open the Gellatly Boat Launch in time for the Victoria Day long weekend. Gellatly Road from Witt Road to Angus Drive remains closed indefinitely.
Shannon Lake Road, closed due to high waters impacting the bridge over McDougall Creek, is now open to single lane alternating traffic. Motorists are asked to obey the temporary traffic signals and signage that have been installed in the area.
Gellatly Road, closed due to high waters impacting the Powers Creek Bridge, is open for single lane alternating traffic and will be staffed by traffic flaggers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Outside of this time, motorists are asked to obey the traffic signage and proceed accordingly.
The City urges motorists to be cautious in both of these locations as flood monitoring and mitigation efforts will be ongoing in the area. RCMP will be monitoring both of these areas to ensure motorists are complying with traffic controls.
Gellatly Road from Witt Road to Angus Drive remains closed to traffic. Smith Creek, which runs parallel to this section of Gellatly Road, has eroded the banks of this road, which has been closed in the interest of public safety.
Motorists are asked to be neighbourly and respect the 30 km/hr speed limit on Carrall and Witt Roads or choose alternate, collector routes for access to and from Highway 97. Speed bumps have been installed along this detour route to slow traffic. Large truck traffic should avoid detouring through Carrall and Witt Roads.
The Gellatly Boat Launch will open later today, in time for the long weekend. Boaters are asked to use extreme caution on Okanagan Lake, to watch for debris in the water and ensure slow speeds within 30 metres of the shore. "No Wake" signs have been posted at City launches, as wave action can cause shoreline erosion and damage to infrastructure.
The City remains on flood watch. The public is asked not to touch flood preparations including sandbags and bladder dams. These have been placed with care to protect community infrastructure and will likely remain in place for some time.
Residents who have taken steps to prepare their properties for flood are asked to leave flood mitigation measures in place and not to remove debris on beaches at this time. The debris can act as a cushion for waves and reduce sand erosion.
Residents in West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation can find sand and sandbags at the following locations:
" In Green Bay at 1341 Green Bay Road, Osprey Park and at the Wiig Road cul-de-sac
" 2606 and 2714 Casa Loma Road
" 1651 Pritchard Drive
" 4081 Hitchner Road
" 2589 Whitworth Rd (Pebble Beach Park)
" Across from the WFN Works and Utilities yard at the intersection of Cougar Road and Elk Road (approximate address 3500 Red Cloud Way)
" 515 Highway 97 South (WFN Government Building) to the right of the main parking lot