The Town of Oliver is reviewing a number of options to repair or replace the damaged siphon at Gallagher Lake. The siphon was damaged earlier this year after a rock fall.
Oliver Town council is looking into different repair and replacement options for the Gallagher Lake siphon that was damaged earlier this year.
At committee of the whole today, the Town will consider undertaking a review for $30,000, funded from remaining grant money from the province.
In January, a rock fall incident at Gallagher Lake damaged the irrigation canal siphon. A temporary fix was implemented to accommodate this year’s agricultural irrigation season.
The Town’s consulting firm has identified five options for addressing the damage. Estimates range from less than $5 million to nearly $10 million.
Options include: repairing the existing siphon for $4.5 million, rerouting the siphon around Gallagher Lake ($9.5 million), tunnel canal through rock bluff ($8.3 million), a new pumping station in Kiwanis Park ($5 million), and a new siphon in Gallagher Lake ($5 million).
Town staff plan to consult with land owners, the Osoyoos Indian Band and government agencies.
The repair options could have major financial implications to the water fund, depending on what monetary assistance is available from the government.
