A 'watershed moment'

With concerns over clearcut logging, the future of Peachland's watershed will be the focus of a community roundtable on April 4.

Billed as "Peachland’s watershed moment," the Securing Our Water event takes place 7-9 p.m. at the Peachland Community Centre.

Organized by the Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance, the discussion will bring together a panel of watershed and wildlife experts to talk about the challenges facing Peachland’s watershed, along with ideas to help ensure the security of the community's water source. 

Speakers include Peachland resident and historian Richard Smith, wildlife and forest scientist Dr. Brian Horejsi, hydrogeological engineer Bryer Manwell, and Jesse Zeeman, a director of the fish and wildlife restoration program for the B.C. Wildlife Foundation. 

Meanwhile, the group has also released a time-lapse video showing the expansion of logging in the community watershed reserve since 1984. It also includes drone footage of what the area looks like now, and follows Trepanier Creek down to its mouth on Okanagan Lake, showing erosion and sediment-clouded waters along the way.

Photo: Contributed

Wilson Lakes area in Peachland watershed.