Photo: Dave Ogilvie

Flood barriers holding back Okanagan Lake in 2017

Okanagan residents can start removing sandbags and flood protection from private property.

Central Okanagan Emergency Operations is taking down most of their flood protection measures and advising residents to consider doing the same thing.

Residents should take precaution when working around stagnant water as sandbags that have been sitting in water could contain mould.

“Residents should wear N95 respirators, nitrile gloves and rubber boots and thoroughly wash hands and clothes after handling the bags,” said CORD.

Sandbags are not to be emptied into creeks, lakes, wetland or beaches.

“The impact can destroy fish habitat and affect drinking water supply, infrastructure, flood control, navigation and recreational activities,” says CORD. “It is also illegal.”

Log booms near Hot Sands Beach in Kelowna will be removed on June 15. Log booms at Maude-Roxby Bird Sanctuary and Swim Bay will remain in place until Okanagan Lake drops to full pool level of 342.48 above sea level.

The lake is currently at 342.62 metres above sea level.

Sandbags can be returned, with the sand still in them, before June 28 at these locations.

Kelowna:

• Cook Road Boat Launch outside the Hotel Eldorado on Cook Road in Kelowna

Lake Country:

• Marshall Park (16411 Carrs Landing Rd.)
• Kopje Park (15490 Carrs Landing Rd.)
• Oyama Firehall (15656 Oyama Rd.)
• Beasley Park (11471 Reiswig Rd.)

West Kelowna:

• Falcon Park (1343 – 1339 Green Bay Rd.)
• Beechnut Park (2407 Whitworth Rd. and 2395 George Crt.)
• Casa Loma Beach Park (2606 Casa Loma Rd).
• Sternwheeler Park (1653 – 1649 Pritchard Dr.)

Westbank First Nation

• Government office parking lot (515 Highway 97 South)

Peachland

• 13th Street and San Clemente Avenue (4217 San Clemente Ave.)

Regional District of Central Okanagan:

• Two firehalls in Joe Rich (114881 Highway 33 and 6550 Goudie Rd.)
• Short’s Creek Firehall (7355 Westside Rd.)
• Wilson’s Landing Firehall (2396 Westside Rd.)
• Ellison Firehall (4111 Old Vernon Rd.)