The regional district is keeping an eye on some areas in Oliver to see if spring runoff will cause flooding this year.
Emergency Services Supervisor Dale Kronebusch said he is monitoring problem areas including Willowbrook, Sportsmen’s Bowl Road and Testalinda Creek.
He is also keeping tabs on the Okanagan River channel and the valves/gates on the oxbows.
“I am always skeptical when it comes to spring freshet as it is not something that I can easily predict. I try to plan for the worst and hope for the best,” Kronebusch said.
He pointed out that the Similkameen snow basin is currently at 118 per cent of normal.
“Right now, above-normal runoff is expected in the Similkameen during the spring melt. But seasonal weather during the melt is an important factor in determining whether or not flooding will occur.”
Kronebusch said cooler days and below zero nights are helping to slow the melting process.
He reported that snow pack in the Okanagan basin is currently at 94 per cent of normal.
The regional district continues to monitor snowpack levels – six to eight weeks still remain in the snow season.
Seasonal forecasts from Environment Canada indicate a modest chance of above normal temperatures and normal precipitation for the March to May period.
Kronebusch said cool, cloudy (no rain) days and below zero nights are the best in keeping flooding to a minimum.
If flooding does occur, information will be provided regarding the availability of sand bags.
“If and when it happens, that is when I start engaging the various ministries of the province to help mitigate,” Kronebusch said.
He noted they have a flood mitigation plan in place that starts with a single point of contact from the caller to the Provincial Emergency Call Line (1-800-663-3456).
“Collectively we all work together to provide relief and issue mitigation where necessary or allowed,” Kronebusch said.
