The Canada Day long weekend is almost here and the City of Penticton has issued a summary of what you need to know if you plan on being in the water this weekend.
According to the release, the water level of Okanagan Lake has reached its peak but the high water situation is going to remain for several more weeks. While Penticton escaped the brunt of the flooding seen in other areas of the Okanagan, some infrastructure was damaged by the high water and sandbags remain in place around areas of Okanagan Lake.
Penticton River Channel -
The City of Penticton continues to warn the public that water flows in the Penticton River Channel are currently very fast and dangerous.
Related: Penticton Channel float company delays opening
Anyone entering the channel does so at their own risk and should exercise extreme caution.
Related: Warnings floated for Okanagan River Channel
Boat launches
Launches on Okanagan Lake at the Penticton Yacht Club and on Skaha Lake at the marina are open.
Due to high water levels, on Okanagan Lake, boaters are being asked to control their wake and a map of ‘low’ and ‘no wake’ for Okanagan Lake. Boaters on both Okanagan and Skaha lakes also asked to keep a careful eye out for floating debris carried into the lake by recent high waters.
Okanagan Beach
The beach is open although much of the sand is still underwater and sandbags remain in place in many areas. The beach walkway and surrounding businesses are all operating as usual. Beach users are asked to not step or climb on sandbags. City crews are cleaning the beach as the water recedes and sandbags and other flood mitigation measures are being removed as soon as conditions are appropriate.
Skaha Lake beaches
They look much the same as always since the lake is only slightly above normal water level. Other facilities in the park (children’s spray park, concessions, playground etc.) are all operating as normal.
Water quality
For Penticton’s swimming beaches on Okanagan and Skaha Lakes water quality is tested weekly as per the established protocol between the city and Interior Health. Test results are posted on the Interior Health website.
Kiwanis Pier
Located on Okanagan, the pier was damaged in a wind storm and the pier and the connecting walkway to Okanagan Lake Park are closed.
There is also a number of events taking place around the city on the weekend. For more information on those click the links below: