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South Okanagan Photos

Area C – words about a problem – and how to solve it

I cannot speak to RDOS matters as the alternate anymore.
I know that Terry at his position as Director and I both as a resident and private citizen strongly disagree with this procedure at Prather Lake (St. Andrews golf course) .  (Ed comment – emptying the golf course lake into Kearns Creek system)
I do know that Terry is pushing the bypass to White lake as a plan with or without the pumping as it would take a great deal of pressure off of Kearns creek. The White Lake Bowl is absolutely enormous and could possibly take all the rest of the spring runoff. If not there is no danger of a breach. Keep in mind that without artificially draining this during the dry season this would likely be at best a two-year solution but one year should be more than enough time to reestablish proper creek bed flows and culvert size should the political and bureaucratic will exist.

I would like to make the point that if this was a forest fire the resources dedicated would be never-ending helicopters, bulldozers, excavators, water trucks, temporary bridges, pumps, and human resources. Environmental conventions become less ridged.
The province must start putting flooding on this footing. As with fire, not all things can be saved in a flood but with the resources, much damage to both public and private business could be averted. It is time for the province to put flooding in the same category. In order to accomplish these goals, the residents will have to become demanding, dedicated and tenacious.
The politicians by themselves have little power.
Further communication today: “Terry was informed at the board meeting last Thursday that it was not considered proper for an Alternate to speak to the media under the RDOS title. Terry assures me that he maintains full confidence and that I still speak for him if not the Board. For that, I thank him. I very much respect Director Schafer and will not test the waters even with his support for that reason. We have much more serious issues to deal with and now is not the time for petty squabbles. Further to that, I don’t need to be wrapped in a title to be heard. I apologize for not clarifying this earlier too many distractions.”
Rick Knodel
Response from Terry Schafer:
I feel I must respond to the notion that I’ve been asked by the RDOS to dump my Alternate Rick Knodel. No.
And that would be egregious and certainly not my style. I’ve counted on Rick on so many occasions, not only as my liaison to Parks and Rec, but for his opinion on issues. He and I have openly talked about both running this fall and I welcome that.
In regards to the notion of using White Lake as a depository of excess headwater that option came from the dam owner Mr. Rasmussen and even he noted the improbability of it being a quick fix. Nonetheless I have asked staff to look into the logistics of such a remedy.
I have to admit I’m grasping at straws at this point as we need either a good suggestion that’s workable soon or for Mother Nature to give us some slack.
With the extra release of water from Pringle dam (or Kearns Creek dam) – flowing a little more freely through Willowbrook, that water is actively flooding Sportsmans Bowl Rd.
Adding to that is Victoria Creek’s flow, exacerbating the pressure through the 2-36″ culverts on Seacrest Rd., further threatening those living in Sportsmans Bowl.
I fear that when the freshet is in full swing next month we may see situations that sandbags aren’t going to be able to help. I certainly hope I’m wrong.
edited for clarity