West Kelowna spends millions on flood repairs

West Kelowna was among the Okanagan communities hit hard by last year’s record breaking floods. Now the city is starting the expensive job of repairing the damage and to prevent future flooding.

Flood Remediation Supervisor Mark Roberts showed Global Okanagan the Smith Creeks ponds, one of 48 sites identified as needing remediation.

“We want to try and remove that sand bar in order to make the sediment pond a functioning sediment pond again,” Roberts said.

He said a deluge of water from the spring freshet can be problematic.

“As water velocities increase in creeks, erosion tends to happen,” Roberts said.

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“It poses an immediate threat to public infrastructure as well as in other cases public safety. What we are trying to do is ensure that type of event doesn’t happen again next year.”

Meanwhile, flood-stricken residents along the waterfront are also finalizing repairs.

“I’ve got probably $10,000 worth of damage,” said Green Bay road resident Denis Kruse.

“I lost my whole basement. I estimate about $40,000 bucks,” neighbor Robert Stewart said.

Residents of Green Bay Road– hit hardest by flooding last year– are optimistic they’ll be spared this high water season.

Many are encouraged by the lowering of Okanagan Lake in response to higher than normal snowpack levels.

“All that we can hope for is the provincial government has opened the dam on the other end,” waterfront homeowner Beatrice Kline said.

“It’s down substantially, it’s down a lot,” Kruse said, referring to the lake levels.

“I’m hoping, I can’t go through this again,” Stewart added.

But West Kelowna officials said it’s too early to predict what Mother Nature has in store for the Okanagan.

“March historically is a snow month in the higher elevations and last year we saw a whole lot of rain in April as well so I wish I had a crystal ball but unfortunately I can’t make that prediction,” Roberts said.

“I’m nervous , I’m nervous for my neighbours,” said Kline.