Okanagan Lake expected to exceed full pool by the weekend

KELOWNA – Flooding this spring has been mostly in localized areas but attention may soon turn again to Okanagan Lake.

With a forecast predicting a 30 per cent chance of rain Wednesday night, book-ended by high temperatures, the lake is anticipated to reach full pool of 342.48 metres and higher by the weekend.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations reports today, May 15 Okanagan Lake rose 48.5 centimetres last week, reaching 342.31 metres — just 17 cms below full pool.

Bladder dams, gabion barriers and sandbags will be installed in various locations along low points of the Okanagan Lake foreshore. Residents affected by last year’s flooding are being urged to take similar precautions using sandbags or other measures to protect their property.

Last year, similar spring conditions led to widespread damage and restrictions to water use. 

For more information and regular updates, see the CORD emergency website.

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