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(UPDATE: May 11, 2018 @ 3 p.m.)
A contractor has begun preparations at the Cook Road boat launch to remove a build-up of sand affecting boaters’ ability to use the full boat launch.
The wood debris has been removed from the north lane of the boat launch and it is now open again, however, boaters are urged to be aware that the situation can change during the weekend depending on the flow of wood debris coming from Mission Creek.
The facility has been affected in recent years by sand moving northward from the mouth of Mission Creek and into the boat launch area. This has limited the ability for people to safely launch their boats on the south side of the boat launch.
“This is one of our primary boat launches and it is important to do this job properly to protect the environment, the infrastructure and ultimately give boaters better access to Okanagan Lake in this location,” said Martin Johansen, Building Services Manager.
An application to the Ministry of Forest, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations to remove sand from the area was approved this week and work on the project will begin as soon as the contractor can get set up.
The dredging work is expected to take three to four weeks. Every effort will be made to keep the north lane of the boat launch open once the wood debris is removed, but access will depend on how the work progresses.
The City’s other boat launches are open at Cedar Creek Park, Water Street, Sutherland Bay Park. Boaters are reminded to use caution on the lake at this time of year due to rapidly flowing creeks carrying logs and other wood debris into lakes.
(Original Story: May 11, 2018 @ 6 a.m.)
With just a week to go before the May long weekend, Kelowna's most heavily used boat launch is just limping into the boating season.
One of the two ramps at the Cook Road boat launch is behind concrete barriers.
A sand bar has encroached on it, making it unusable for the time being. The water is also very shallow on the other (north) side ramp which is open.
But, help is on the way. After some delays, the City of Kelowna has just received a permit from the provincial government to dredge the south ramp so that it can also be made available to boaters.
That work will get underway in the days ahead. It's not clear yet whether the boat launch will be fully open in time for the May Long weekend.
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