Lake levels on Vaseux Lake are high again this year, almost at the flooding levels we experience in 2017 and 2018.
During wind storms, the lake water is splashing over permanent break walls and making its way towards homes.
In a statement to the Oliver Daily News, Norm Gaumont, chairman of the Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association, said “The water is up to everyone’s property and with the wind, is actually eating away some of the lawns and the rock walls.”
Statement from the RDOS with regards to potential flooding:
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) is advising residents to take steps to protect their properties adjacent to Okanagan Lake, Skaha Lake, and Vaseux Lake. Okanagan Lake has exceeded full pool and is vulnerable to significant rainfall that could impact shorelines, docks, and beaches. Property owners should be aware of active weather changes including wind and rain events that could initiate a further rise in lake levels.
Okanagan Lake is expected to remain higher than normal well into the summer due to delayed snowmelt at higher elevations. The Okanagan River system connecting Okanagan Lake, Skaha Lake, and Vaseux Lake is also expected to maintain higher than normal flows until conditions change.
As a homeowner on Sundial Road, I can attest to the damage done by the high waters to the break wall that we installed after the flooding in 2017 and 2018. It’s been an ongoing process to repair the damage and secure our wall this summer, so that flooding in years to come, hopefully, won’t continue to ruin the wall.
That the powers that be FAILED to lower the lake level sooner this year really makes one wonder how concerned they are about property owners on South Okanagan lakes and the tens of thousands of dollars we’ve incurred to protect and repair our properties over the last 5 years.
Read more about how to protect your property against Flooding.
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