City, regional district pitch in to prevent flooding at Red Wing Resort

PENTICTON – The City of Penticton and the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen have been working in a cooperative effort to keep floodwaters of Okanagan Lake out of Red Wing Resorts.

City of Penticton Chief Administrative Officer Peter Weeber says the regional district took over efforts to protect the gated community, which lies outside city limits, from rising lake waters after the city took action last Sunday when the lake breached a low lying area of Red Wing.

A bladder dam was installed this week to protect a section of shoreline but rising water levels have required more action.

Weeber says the protective structure built on the weekend needs to be reinforced immediately, calling the situation “critical.”

The city has contacted the regional district, which is dispatching crews this morning.

Weeber says the city took some criticism for the action it took on the weekend, but adds City Council has made it clear help will be provided if the city’s neighbour’s need assistance.

He says the city is ready to assist the regional district in their efforts, if required.

“The regional district has done a great job this week protecting the rest of the Red Wing community,” Weeber says.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.