Water flows and flooding are two issues that people are asking about as Phase II of the Okanagan River Restoration Initiative (ORRI) gets underway.

A recent public meeting at Park Drive Church in Oliver answered many questions about the project, slated to begin August 6.

Fisheries biologist Karilyn Alex from the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) presented an overview of river flows and factors influencing annual spring runoff.

She noted that river flows were high this year because snowpack accumulation and rainfall were higher than normal. In addition, Okanagan aquifers were full and could not absorb more water.

Alex said many seasonal ponds that have been low or dry have water this year. She noted that White Lake has water for the first time in many years. She added that Mahoney, Green, Sawmill, Madden, Gallagher and Tucelnuit Lake have been recharged to a point higher than seen in many years.

While flooding can be an awful and costly inconvenience to growers, the recharging of aquifers and surface water bodies has renewed the South Okanagan-Similkameen water resource for terrestrial and aquatic life.

“Without these wet cycles we would be very water scarce,” Alex said.

She pointed out that this year’s flooding was not the result of Phase 1 of the ORRI. It was also noted that the ORRI steering committee does not manage flows in the Okanagan River; this is done by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

Fisheries biologist Camille Rivard-Sirois from ONA presented an overview of the ORRI and its phases.

She noted that Phase I worked as hoped, with sockeye salmon returning in large numbers and using the new habitat.

Sirois pointed out that the trout habitat is being used for spawning, and other species such as the Great Basin Spadefoot Toad are thriving in the new habitat.

Phase II will reconnect the river with a historic side channel, which is currently full of water but does not flow. When the work is complete, water will constantly flow through the side channel and back into the river, providing fish with free access to a varied habitat.

Phase II will provide increased spawning grounds, cover and food for fish.

During construction, the east dike will be closed from time to time for public safety. The west dike may be closed for a few days near the end of the project. Notification will be given to the public before this occurs.

Construction will occur from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.

People living close to the site will be aware of increased truck traffic on the dike.

Because construction vehicles cannot turn around on the east dike, access will be from Buchanan Drive, and the exit will be from the dike to McKinney Road.

After construction, residents will be able to enjoy viewing fish activity in the new side channel. Also, a short new east/west dike at the north end of the project will provide the public with safe foot access to the east dike from Meadows Drive.

At the meeting, two farmers raised their concerns about their irrigation intakes negatively impacted during Phase I.  They wanted to know if Phase II and the modification to vertical drop structure 13 will further impact their situations. (Local farmer Gord Forbes previously reported a problem with not having enough water to irrigate his crops due to Phase 1’s impact.)

A solution to the problem is being negotiated with the ministry and the ORRI steering committee is no longer involved in this discussion.

Lyonel Doherty

Oliver Chronicle