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The intricate balancing act of flooding in the Okanagan

Following last spring's historic flooding, officials took extra precautions this year to drain Okanagan Lake in anticipation of increased creek flows.

However, due to the expansive Okanagan Water Basin, draining one lake has a large ripple effect on several bodies of water in the South Okanagan.

<who> Photo Credit: Google Maps.

Starting in Armstrong and running south past the U.S. border, the Okanagan Basin stretches almost 200 kilometres in length and 8,000 km squared in area.

Six main lakes make up the Okanagan watershed, or basin, including Okanagan, Kalamalka, Wood, Skaha, Vaseux and Osoyoos.

Okanagan, Skaha, Vaseux and Osoyoos are all directly connected by a series of gates including the large Okanagan Lake Dam in Penticton.

When Okanagan Lake began to flood last year, officials opened the dam to max outflow, pouring as much as 68 cubic meters of water a second out of Okanagan Lake.

This year, to counteract the already threatening water levels downstream, officials decreased Okanagan Lake's outflow at the beginning of May. However, with a rapidly melting snowpack, the decision puts Okanagan Lake at risk of flooding.

<who> Photo Credit: Facebook Osoyoos Loop.

"We felt forced to reduce our outflow about 10-12 days ago because of the downstream contribution of the tributaries into the Okanagan River," said Riemer.

"Flows in the Okanagan River were higher than last year and the water was even starting to go around some wing walls, which is very threatening and would be extremely problematic. It was getting to the point where we worried about those structures."

According to Riemer, Osoyoos Lake rises and falls very specifically with the already flooding Similkameen River and the lake's backflow can have drastic effects on the Okanagan River.

"Osoyoos Lake levels are certainly a consideration for us, the lake's backwater impacts the Okanagan River which impacts the Oliver area," explained Riemer.

"When deciding the outflow for Okanagan Lake we also have to consider the flooding due to impounding behind the dyke system and potential for threats to the dyke itself."

<who> Photo Credit: KelownaNow.

While it is in everyone's best interest to regulate the Okanagan Basin to avoid downstream flooding, Riemer did confirm there are no provisions that he has to hold back water.

Decisions on Okanagan Lake's outflow will be ongoing as officials predicted water levels will reach full pool by the weekend.

<who> Photo Credit: KelownaNow.

The sudden heatwave combined with an extremely high snowpack means Okanagan Lake could reach a peak flood level of 343 metres, only 25 centimetres below last year's record flood level.



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