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Summerland’s flood risk low at present

Okanagan Lake is expected to reach full pool level on June 21
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While spring floods in 2017 and 2018 damaged the lakeshore in Summerland, the danger of significant flooding this year is much lower. (Black Press file photo)

While the water level in Okanagan Lake is rising, the community of Summerland is not in immediate danger of flooding.

Graham Statt, chief administrative officer for Summerland, said the lake level on Monday, June 13 was 50 millimetres below full pool. The lake is rising and is expected to reach full pool level on Tuesday, June 21.

READ ALSO: Flooding prompts evacuation alerts in Lumby

READ ALSO: Flooding in parts of Kelowna as Mission Creek rises

Despite the rising water levels, flooding is not expected at present in Summerland.

“We have no immediate concerns,” Statt said.

In 2017, flooding affected the community and sandbags were set up to prevent damage to lakefront homes. However, Statt said the sandbagging efforts that year did not begin until the lake was 50 millimetres above full pool.

Although significant flooding is not expected at present, Statt urges Summerland residents to sign up for municipal alerts with the Voyent Alert! notification service, in case conditions change.

READ ALSO: Summerland selects notification service

Significant spring flooding affected the community in 2017 and 2018, resulting in damages along the lakeshore.

This year, despite the recent rainfall, similar flooding conditions are not anticipated. Statt said the snowpack in Summerland’s watershed had melted as of May 15.

While Summerland is not anticipating flood conditions at present, other communities in the region have been affected by flooding. These include Kelowna after Mission Creek spilled its banks on June 14 and in Lumby, where evacuation alerts had been issued as of June 15.

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John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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