In 2018 Osoyoos Lake hit 916.39 feet above sea level and Cottonwood Beach was completely under water. This summer the beach is partially closed for repairs. (File photo)
By Dale Boyd
Osoyoos Times
Cottonwood Beach is now partially closed for the duration of the summer due to safety issues requiring repairs to a retaining wall.
Town council has voted to put up a fenced area closing access to part of the beach from April 16 to Oct. 31 when the necessary repairs are expected to be completed.
Cottonwood Park, including washrooms, will remain open and the new park at the end of Cottonwood Drive will be open as well, providing public access to Osoyoos Lake.
Spring flooding from last year caused significant damage to lakeside locations in Osoyoos including a retaining wall on Cottonwood Beach. In May, 2018 flood waters and repeated wave action impacted the Cottonwood Park area. Erosion drew out retaining walls running adjacent to the edge of the lake and as a result the wall sections are now leaning outward. Concrete and asphalt walkways have sunken and the surrounding landscape has been compromised according to a staff report to council.
The town’s operational and service department awarded DBA Rocks ‘n’ Blocks with the contract to complete the repairs to the retaining wall. With those operations taking pace in proximity to Osoyoos Lake, the town is also required to get approval from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development.
Rising lake levels have postponed the project’s start date until the Osoyoos Lake levels drop, with a proposed start date of Sept. 3. The portion of the beach deemed unsafe will remain closed to the public from April 16 until the estimated completion date at the end of October. The funds needed for these repairs were approved in the 2019 budget.
