The Penticton Dam Manager will slowly increase the outflow on Thursday to try to reduce the rate of ascent to Lake Okanagan. “I think I would be happy if, you know, we did not have that 10cm of rain because really, it just made me increase the outflow, which was probably a little bit bigger than I expected this year. “We are certainly not in a position to address a range of issues,” said Shaun Reimer. “I heard that Kelowna had about half of the normal June rain just over the first week of June. So, if this trend continues, it could cause some problems, but I do not see anything very terrible, based on the current situation. “ The lake is growing a little over an inch a day right now. “We increased our outflow to try to match it. However, I believe that there is a possibility that we will slightly exceed the full pool this year, something we have done for many years. “But I think from 2017 and 2018 people are understandably a little more nervous about it.” Significant floods hit the Okanagan in those years, causing damage to the entire river and lake system. Reimer said the full goal of the Okanagan Lake pool – 342.48 meters – was set many years ago through a consultation process to find a number that balances flood control with water supply. “Every time we try to raise the lake level to a target, and then it starts to rain and things get a little out of our control, we can move on. In many years, we will get over it a bit and people usually do not pay attention to it. They have noticed more than 2017. But I understand that. “The fact that we will move on to this point does not concern me much.” There are indications that Lake Kalamalka in Vernon, which feeds Lake Okanagan, may end soon, as its level is just five to six inches below its target full pool. But Reimer is not worried yet. “It simply came to our notice then. “If I did see some rain starting to rise a little more, it would probably increase the outflow. We have little room to increase the outflow in this system,” Reimer said. of Aberdeen, mostly without snow so far. The BC River Forecast Center published its latest Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin on Wednesday, which reported that the cool weather in May continued to delay the melting of snow. In Okanagan, the snow basin is at 153 percent of normal from June 1, a jump from 96 percent of normal in the last measurement on May 15. “We are about two weeks behind the melting of our highest altitude right now… We will have some higher river flows to Lake Osoyoos, but nothing like we saw it again in some of those really big water years like 2017 or 2018 or even and 2020 “. In May, the lake remained just under 70cm, or more than two feet, below the target level of the full pool. Reimer expects to see 85cm of water at that time coming into Lake Okanagan from now until the end of July. The case this spring has raised growing concerns about tributaries flooding. As snow is only an indicator of possible floods, you will be closely monitoring the upcoming forecasts and weather events. As the lake level rises, causing the flow rate to rise, Reimer reminds people to be a little more careful around or on waterways. “We have some moderately high flows in the Okanagan River, as well as of course some of the tributaries that enter the lake,” he said. “If it is going to be around the river, stay away from the shores, watch out for your pets, do not enter the water. Again, just be vigilant. “ Photo: Castanet Staff
