City moving forward on flood repairs

PENTICTON – Okanagan Lake shoreline repairs to damage caused by last spring’s high water and storms are moving forward, following approval by City Council.

The City of Penticton will begin waterfront repairs with the rebuilding of the sheet pile wall near the Peach Concession.

That section of wall was one of seven areas along the beach identified as needing repairs following last spring’s record-setting high water.

City engineer Ian Chapman discussed the repairs to City Council at the regular meeting yesterday, Feb. 20.

Chapman expressed an urgency to move forward on the project in order to be finished before the tourist season begins.

He said repair measures would include the addition of erosion protection measures at the base of the wall.

A new wall, driven deeper into the lakebed, in front of the existing damaged wall will be installed and the old wall abandoned but left in place.

Cost of the work is estimated at $419,000, some of which is eligible for provincial funding. The city would be responsible for $234,000 worth of the work, already contained in the 2018 budget. The additional erosion protection cost would be the city’s responsibility, but necessary to prevent future erosion damage, Chapman said.

Parts of the wall were bent, with sand eroded from in front and behind during last year’s flooding.

Temporary measures put in place last spring minimized further damage to the wall but more permanent measures are now required to prevent further erosion and possible collapse of the pile supported walkway.

Coun. Judy Sentes, in recommending the motion to proceed with issuing of tender documents, expressed a wish to see signage posted in the area to let residents and tourists know the project is progressing.

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