More repairs planned for two Okanagan parks damaged by 2017 flooding

Two Okanagan parks will be undergoing repair work next week.

Starting Monday, the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO) said there will be a “flurry of activity” in Hardy Falls Regional Park near Peachland and Killiney Beach Community Park west of Vernon.

WATCH BELOW (Aired Dec. 28, 2017): A look back at Okanagan Lake during the 2017 flood

3:33 A look back at a rising Okanagan Lake during the unprecedented flooding event of 2017

The work revolves around repairing damage from flooding in 2017.

The regional district said Hardy Falls Regional Park has been closed since Deep Creek overflowed its banks, severely damaging two bridges, bridge approaches and the trail. Repair work will include the installation of two pre-fabricated bridge structures.

View image in full screen

The bridge structures will be built on a nearby vacant property, and, weather permitting, will be airlifted into the park.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

It’s hoped trail repairs will be made by early May, with the park opening to visitors then.

WATCH BELOW (March 7, 2018): Repair work delayed for flood damaged Central Okanagan parks

1:33 Repair work delayed for flood damaged central Okanagan parks

At Killiney Beach Community Park, site preparation is expected to start next week, with paving of an access road slated to start on April 10.

The RDCO said upland recovery work was completed in the fall and this month saw installation of a new replacement dock.

WATCH BELOW (Aired March 15, 2018): Report says provincial government acted appropriately during 2017 flood

2:27 An independent report says the provincial government acted appropriately and couldn’t have done anything else to prevent the widespread flood damage in the Okanagan in 2017

The RDCO anticipates that in June, crews will return to the park to stabilize the flood-damaged concrete boat launch pads.

Notably, the RDCO said the Provincial Disaster Assistance program provided $48,400 for Hardy Falls Regional Park and $330,000 for Killiney Beach Community Park.

Flood mitigation work underway along Mill Creek in Kelowna

In related news, the City of Kelowna announced that trees are being removed from Mill Creek to reduce the risk of flooding.

According to the city, the trees being targeted are below the creek’s high-water mark. The trees reportedly restrict water flow and contribute to debris buildup.

The city said flood mitigation work began last spring, and that vulnerable areas downtown were prioritized at the time. This year, crews will start where they left off near Highway 97 and continue upstream toward the city boundary.

The city added that it will restore areas where trees have been removed. Starting in April, trees and shrubs will be planted above the high water mark along Mill Creek, and restoration will resume in the fall to ensure all disturbed areas are adequately restored.