Boaters asked to be respectful of wake on Okanagan Lake

PENTICTON – While lake levels are declining on Okanagan Lake, historically high water levels remain as the region heads into the first long weekend of summer.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen is asking boaters to be respectful while out on the water this holiday weekend.

The District reminds boaters in a media release to be aware of debris floating in Okanagan Lake, and take precautions to ensure their safety and minimize damage.

Submerged docks, dock materials and floating debris remains in the lake, and boat wakes should be kept low to avoid damage to exposed shorelines.

Boaters are advised to keep 300 metres from shore, and whenever possible stay in the centre of the lake.

When 300 metres or less from shore, boaters are advised to slow down to under five knots in order to reduce wake to the smallest amount possible.

The District has created a map showing the low wake zones for 300 metres from the shoreline for the foreshore of Summerland, Naramata, Indian Rock, North Beach and Three Mile Beach in Penticton.

The only boat launch open in the Regional District at this time is at the Penticton Marina.

Skaha and Osoyoos Lakes do not have flooding issues and can be used as normal.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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