The flooding along Oyama Rd between Wood and Kalamalka Lake continues to worsen, transforming the town's community hall parking lot and baseball field into a puddle.
Tween Lakes Resort, located beside the Wood to Kalamalka Lake canal has completely flooded, with knee-high water levels covering the roads.
“The old timers around here don't remember anytime the lake was this high,” said Alan Gatzke, owner of Gatzke Farms on the corner of Pelmewash Hwy and Oyama Rd.
“My dad is 79 and he said the lake levels have surpassed the marks for the flood of ‘96 and the big flood of the 60's as well.”
According to Gatzke, the Oyama Legion has closed, a section of the Okanagan Rail Trail along Wood Lake has been washed away, the boat launch has disappeared under water and there is now talk of canceling the community’s annual Oyama Fun Day’s parade.
However, the historic flooding has brought the community together, with community members helping one another during times of need.
“The community leaders here have been communicating well and helping out however they can,” said Gatzke.
A meeting will be held tonight at Oyama's Community Hall that will decide the fate of Oyama Fun Days this year.
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