With recent spring runoff, the waters of the Similkameen River are especially high. (Richard McGuire photo)
With water levels high due to spring runoff, residents are advised to be cautious around the Okanagan River.
The river’s deep and fast-flowing current requires heightened safety awareness during spring snowmelt, the B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO) said in a news release.
Adults are urged to keep children and pets under close supervision at all times when near the riverbanks. If going into the river, take precautionary measures such as using a safe watercraft and wearing a personal flotation device.
With warm weather and substantial snowpacks still at higher elevation, this year should see higher runoff than usual into the Okanagan River from Okanagan Lake for the next several weeks.
River flows between Okanagan Lake and Osoyoos Lake are currently above normal and are expected to remain high throughout spring.
Tributaries are also seeing high water flows.
Bulky item pickup in Area A is this Tuesday
Residents of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen can get large and bulky items picked up this week for disposal.
The pickup for Area A (Rural Osoyoos) is Tuesday, April 19.
Common items include furniture, fridges, freezers, large appliances and mattresses.
You are allowed two items with a maximum per item weight of 90 kg (200 lbs.).
No renovation waste is permitted, such as toilets, sinks, plumbing, hot water tanks or doors. Contact the RDOS for disposal options.
Electronics and small appliances such as televisions and computers can be taken to the Osoyoos Bottle Depot at any time.
Contract for Penticton hospital tower finalized
The contract for construction of the new patient care tower at Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH) has now been finalized.
The new patient care tower will be a six-storey building, plus a mechanical penthouse.
EllisDon Infrastructure was chosen as Interior Health’s preferred proponent in January and both organizations have since concluded a performance-based contract.
EllisDon Infrastructure will begin early works in mid-May, with construction on the tower and parkade expected to start in August.
The tower is expected to be open for patient care in spring of 2019 and phase two renovations will start shortly thereafter.
The capital budget for the project is now $312.5 million. The Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Hospital District is providing $117 million, the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation is contributing $20 million, Interior Health is providing $14.4 million and the province is providing $161.1 million.
RDOS mosquito program starts early
With the warm weather, early spring melt and increased mosquito complaints, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has launched its Nuisance Mosquito Control Program early this year.
Normally, the program starts in mid-May and continues into late August.
Each week the RDOS Mosquito Control Crew tests standing water at identified sites for the presence of mosquito larvae.
If the site requires treatment, a granular bacteria larvicide is applied to the water. These natural bacteria kill mosquito and biting black fly at their larval stage, but doesn’t kill adult mosquitoes.
The product has been found not to harm any other insects, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds or mammals.
Residents of Osoyoos and Area A are among those covered by the program.
If you have areas of standing water bodies too large to drain on your own, call the RDOS Mosquito Control Program at 1-877-610-3737 extension 4142.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
