Lake levels dropping

Photo: Madison Erhardt

The level of Okanagan Lake is down another 1.2 centimetres.

UPDATE: 12 p.m.

For the past week, city, regional district and BC Wildfire Service crews made major strides to clean up, and open, as many waterfront beach and park areas as possible.

That work is continuing this week where the flood risk is minimal, and it's safe to do so.

Officials with the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre applauded boaters for the co-operation and respectful boating practices over the long weekend.

Boat operators are encouraged to keep their waves, and wakes down to reduce potential shoreline erosion. Regular boating activities may resume once lake levels reach a more reasonable level.

Despite a significant lowering of both Okanagan and Kalamalka lakes over the past 24 hours, both remain about 48 centimetres above full pool.

Property owners along the lake are asked to continue monitoring flood protection measures.

If the flood risk has passed around your property, information is available at the Cord Emergency website detailing recovery efforts and sandbag drop off locations.

ORIGINAL STORY: 7:30 a.m.

While crews continue the work of cleaning up waterfront beaches and parks along Okanagan lakes, the level of both large lakes in the region continues to drop.

Okanagan Lake is at 342.962 metres above sea level. That's a drop of 2.1 centimetres since Monday morning and a 7.5 centimetre drop since Friday.

Kalamalka Lake has fallen 4.9 centimetres since Friday. It's at 392.185 metres above sea level.

Both, however, are still well above full pool.

Good news this week as far as the weather is concerned. The forecast into the weekend calls for sunshine and hot temperatures. The mercury is expected to reach 30 C today and 33 C Wednesday, with temperatures in the upper 30's for the balance of the week and into Saturday.

The heat will assist with evaporation, further aiding in the lowering of both lakes.