Unauthorized dam on Park Rill Creek prompts flooding concern for Willowbrook

PENTICTON – The potential for flooding in the Park Rill Creek watershed has resulted in an order from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development to order a property owner to reduce water levels behind an unauthorized dam.

The dam is located on private property west of Willowbrook Road and has the potential to cause a large amount of water and debris to move into Park Rill Creek, should the dam breach.

The regional district reported Saturday the only two homes along Willowbrook Road could be directly impacted by the water have been notified.

Property owners in the Sportsmans Bowl Road area have also been asked to prepare to evacuate should the situation worsen.

The regional district is preparing more sandbag locations and is maintaining the emergency operations centre as required.

Emergency Operations’ Zoe Kirk said today, April 9, residents from affected and surrounding flood areas have stepped up to provide voluntary assistance in preparing sandbags and helping those under flood threat.

She says local fire departments have also been generous in their time and efforts in providing assistance to the affected areas.

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