FLOOD WATCH 2017: West Kelowna closing boat launches, roads as lake continues to rise

WEST KELOWNA – Boat launches in West Kelowna are being closed due to concerns about damage caused by waves in Okanagan Lake.

Watercraft wakes may damage the protective measures put in place to prevent flooding, like sandbag walls, according to a press release from the City of West Kelowna. The city is also closing Gellatly Road at Powers Creek Bridge due to the rising lake and creek levels.

For people who were planning to use the bridge, detours using the Glenrosa Road Interchange are an option, according to the release.

Other roads and parks in West Kelowna have been affected by the rising lake. Gellatly Road between Witt Road and Angus Drive is still closed due to damage caused by Smith Creek. Shannon Lake Road Bridge over McDougall Creek is down to a single lane for alternating traffic.

Park closures in the area remain in effect for:

Pritchard Park
Pebbles Beach
The waterfront portion of the Gellatly Beach access
Marina Park
Aberdeen Park
Jennens Beach Access

For residents looking to protect their property the lists a few places for free sandbags:

Gellatly Road at West Kelowna Yacht Club
Whitworth Road at George Court
Casa Loma; 2606 and 2714 Casa Loma Road
515 Highway 97 South (WFN Government Building), right of the main parking lot
Green Bay; 1341 Green Bay Road, Osprey Park and at the Wiig Road cul-de-sac
Pritchard; 1651 Pritchard Drive
Hitchner/Jennens; 4081 Hitchner Road
Across from the WFN Works and Utilities yard at the intersection of Cougar and Elk Roads
Gellatly Bay; 2589 Whitworth Road near Pebble Beach Park

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