26May

Okanagan Lake Flood Levels – 2020 / 2017 & 2018

posted by: Wayne

Here is where we were three years ago

200726 – Okanagan Lake recedes below full pool for the first time since May 30 2020 and continues to drain.

Okanagan Lake Flood Levels 2020 2017 & 2018

200622 – For the first time this year the lake level has gone down. Yesterday we were at 342.748 Meters whereas today the level went down to 342.746 Meters for a drop of .002 Meters. Not a big drop but… down is down and we can only hope this trend will continue. Full pool being 248.480 Meters which was past on the way up on May 30 2020.

This is from Deputy CAO Marilyn Rilkoff on Thu 6/18/2020 10:36 AM

Please find an update on the 2020 Freshet situation below from RDCO Communications:

If you have not already signed up to receive notifications from the Emergency Operation Centre, please visit cordemergency.ca and click the e-Subscribe link on the homepage. You will also find today’s news release alerting residents to the need to protect their properties if they are in low lying areas and have been impacted by lake flooding before.

Background Information:

Lake Okanagan has surpassed the 2018 levels. It is currently at 342.73 which is 25 cm above full pool
- 2018 reached 342.69
- It is anticipated that lake levels could reach 342.8 with additional weather events.
- It will stay at approximately this level over the next two to four weeks until Freshet is done for the season
- Water levels themselves are not as much a concern but rather any wind or wave action could cause damage at this level
- Consultant Don Dobson is working on projections and required protection measures required – while the lake is still rising it is not anticipated to rise as high as 2017 levels
Other lakes in the area are also above or near full pool including Kalamalka Lake and Ellison Lake
Sand and sandbags are being distributed across the region including our fire halls
- Sandbags only at Ellison and Joe Rich
- Sand (being delivered shortly) and sandbags at Wilson’s Landing and NWFR #102
RDCO infrastructure is being reviewed with no imminent threats identified
Public information is being sent out through the Emergency Operation Centre and amplified through all partner channels
- Expecting cold front this weekend with more rain and wind
- Wind and wave action could cause damage this weekend and residents need to be prepared
- EOC will be reviewing public infrastructure but residents are responsible to protect their own properties

Record flood level for Okanagan Lake was in 2017 and reached 343.251 Meters on June 09, 2017. Full Pool for Okanagan Lake is 342.48 I got my information from the Kelowna Now – Flood Watch Page. For more videos from 2017/2018 go to my You Tube Channel.