Rising Okanagan River level prompts warning from province

PENTICTON – A warning today from the province as spring runoff fills the Okanagan River in the South Okanagan.

A higher than normal snowpack is expected to result in high runoff levels into the Okanagan River from Okanagan Lake for the next several months, according to a media release from the B.C. Government issued today, April 3.

The province is cautioning residents and visitors to use care near the Okanagan River as the water level rises and the current increases in speed.

Adults are urged to keep children and pets under close supervision when near the riverbanks and to take precautionary measures when going to the river by using safe watercraft and by wearing a personal floatation device.

The ministry says river flows between Okanagan Lake and Osoyoos Lake are currently above normal and are expected to remain high throughout spring.


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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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