By Times Chronicle Staff
Anglers and other recreational boaters can now use the Osoyoos Desert Sunrise Marina boat launch following its reopening which was announced by the Town on Apr. 20.
The boat launch, which still requires repairs, has been closed due to historically low water levels in Osoyoos Lake.
Water levels have been rising in recent weeks following both spring runoff from the Okanagan Water Basin’s snowpack and action by the International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control which is responsible for maintaining lake levels.
Boaters will still have to contend with a damaged ramp for another year as delays in moving through the application process since the temporary fix a year ago have put the permanent solution on hold for this season.
Tyler Madsen, who began his role as Director of Operations at the Town of Osoyoos in April of 2025, stated that Waters Edge, the consultant the Town was working with, had provided options in November of 2024. At that time a decision still needed to be made regarding a long term fix. Madsen himself did not initiate the Provincial permit process, which takes 6-12 months, when he came on board a year ago.
Last spring, residents and visitors were promised a permanent solution to fix the underwater portion of the ramp before the 2026 May long weekend, something that has now drifted into next year.
Osoyoos Council recently hiked the fines for powerloading from $100 to $500.
Don Urquhart photo
The ramp is believed to have been damaged by the semi-trailer cab that accidentally drove down the ramp in spring of 2024 and exacerbated by boaters “powerloading” their boats onto trailers.
Powerloading involves using a boat’s engine to drive it onto a trailer rather than using a winch. This can result in severe erosion and deep holes at the end of launch ramps.
New signage cautioning users, including reminders not to powerload their boats, has been installed at the boat launch. Osoyoos Council also recently hiked the fines for powerloading from $100 to $500.
