As communities throughout the Okanagan continue to fight floodwaters, an end to what seems like the ever-rising Okanagan Lake is now in sight.
READ MORE: South Okanagan community under Local State of Emergency
Kari O’Rourke with Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says Okanagan Lake is expected to crest some time next week.
But O’Rourke cautions it’s important to keep all flood protection measures in place as the flood fight is far from over.
READ MORE: Fresh supplies for sandbag brigades as Okanagan Lake rises ever higher
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The lake rose seven millimetres since Tuesday and is expected to continue to rise every day until it peaks next week.
Lake water has already saturated numerous beaches, waterfront parks and boardwalks throughout the Okanagan and flooded some homes throughout the region.
The forecast isn’t ideal for flooding either. The temperature is expected to surpass 30 C Wednesday, which will only speed up the snow melt, and rain is in the forecast for Thursday, adding more water to already overwhelmed waterways.
Bladder dams have been put in place on the shoreline throughout Kelowna to block the rising lake and a 1.7 kilometre dam system is set to be installed in Peachland over the next few days along Beach Avenue.
Even though the lake is expected to peak next week, emergency officials warn that won’t mark the end of the flood fight.
“Ground water levels are often a week or two behind increases to lake levels, so residents should monitor lake levels and their properties to help anticipate their flood risk,” according to a news release from Central Okanagan Emergency Operations.
READ MORE: Kelowna flood maps show possible extent of water ingress from Okanagan Lake
Emergency officials say the flood risk will remain high for the foreseeable future.
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