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(UPDATE: 1:25 p.m.) - Water levels are already at record highs for this time of year and snow remains in the high elevation watersheds, which means the potential for flooding due to rain, wind or warm temperatures is still a risk.
These conditions for area lakes and creeks are expected to last well into June.
To establish how flood levels will impact your property:
- Use today’s lake level of 342.70 m
- Use a tape measure to measure an additional 90 cm vertically above the existing water level. This will equal 343.6 m, which includes the projected flood level plus buffer to protect from wave action.
- Mark this level again on something stationary such as a tree, fence or wall. Build flood protection that measures up to that height.
(Original Story: 11 a.m.) - Sunny days may be on the way, but focus still remains on the water levels in Okanagan Lake.
Since Monday afternoon, the lake has risen more than 2.5 centimetres (cm) and now sits at 342.70 metres (m).
In response to this, residents in some of the lowest laying areas in Kelowna might see crews deploying flood protection measures on Tuesday.
These measures include bladder dams, gabion barriers and sandbags being installed at a number of locations along the foreshore.
One of the main focuses of crews will be the Kelowna neighbourhoods between the Bennett Bridge and Kelowna General Hospital.
Work is also ongoing at Pritchard Park in West Kelowna on Tuesday.
The priority order of protection was determined by their risk of flooding and how easily and efficiently crews can put barriers in place at that specific location.
Residents may also see crews placing wooden stakes along waterfront properties, which shows where the surveys determined that the lake level could reach when it hits the 343.6 m level.
That’s the water level that would represent major flooding on the lakeshore.
Residents are asked not to remove stakes or any other flood protection measures, which includes debris that has washed up on shore.
The logs and other wood material will help limit erosion caused by wave action.
When the flood risk has passed, officials will provide notification of how the beach debris will be moved.
You can find out everything you need to know about Okanagan flooding and the local state of emergency in our all encompassing flood story.
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