Lumby demands action over flooding

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted May 17, 2016 at 9:00 AM— updated May 17, 2016 at 11:08 AM

Lumby officials fear the community could be washed out again. The village has sent a letter to the Regional District of North Okanagan protesting the release of water from Aberdeen Plateau reservoirs that can lead to flooding in the downtown core. “The regional district has the ability to help mitigate the flooding situation,” said Mayor Kevin Acton. “They need to follow best practises so they don’t cause flooding.” In 2013, significant flooding swamped businesses and homes right in the middle of Lumby. And sandbags have been put in place this year in case the creeks overflow their banks. “The high-altitude melt comes in mid-June and if there is rain, it could be a perfect storm,” said Acton. “We’d like the regional district to make an educated guess on how to get the reservoirs to the top without them spilling over and causing.” RDNO has previously stated it can’t let water out of the reservoirs early, because, depending on weather conditions in the early spring, that water may be needed for domestic supply in the summer. It also states that snowmelt spilling over reservoirs and into creeks is a natural process. Beyond RDNO, Acton is not impressed with the Okanagan Basin Water Board which is urging residents to conserve water now in case of drought this summer. “There isn’t a shortage of water now,” he said, adding that there isn’t a need to cut back on water use. “I am disappointed to hear their advertisements when there isn’t a drought right now.”