Officials of various government levels have now confirmed that a high level of sediment and debris in Testalinda Creek caused it to breach and flood some areas east of Highway 97 Tuesday night.

Owners of land south of the creek were at a loss Tuesday as to what to do and asked the RDOS for sand and bags to protect their land from rising water. That was delivered Wednesday.

As it turns out – the easterly creek bed near the Highway 97 culvert had not been dredged following the June 2010 debris torrent that destroyed 5 homes. The newly constructed creek bed west of the highway was efficient in water flow but contained much sand, rock and mud that ultimately settled further down and water rose to flood stage.

Once BC government officials and Argo crews arrived on site Wednesday – they began baling (digging out the creek bed) adjacent to three properties near the creek. That work may have to continue for some time to make the creek bed completely safe but the fear of flooding has diminished due to the erection of berms on either side of the creek. The highway is open again – the threat over for now.

Both pictures taken Thursday at the settling pond at the nearest point to Okanagan River. The water deposited a fair amount of wood, rock, mud and sediment. The problem originated close to the highway culvert.