It may be structurally sound, but a deeper look at the system as a whole is important to effectively manage a large body of water and be ready for the effects of climate change.

That is what Okanagan Dam manager Shaun Reimer had to say about a recent report that the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) executive director Anna Warwick Sears submitted to the province, which asks for funding for a variety of issues, including reviewing the operating system and eventually replacing the dam located in Penticton.

Reimer said the dam is actually closer to being 70 years old but is structurally sound and seismically safe. That said, however, the whole system that manages lake levels can always benefit from a review so we can prepare for more extreme weather events.

91裸聊视频淓specially considering the age (of the dam), it91裸聊视频檚 held up pretty well,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淲e don91裸聊视频檛 actually have any real concerns in terms of a structural issue91裸聊视频� but considering the issues we will be having in the future, with more extreme weather events, we do really want to take a look at how well the entire system will hold up under those conditions, and we91裸聊视频檙e working towards that.91裸聊视频�

In her report, Warwick Sears said the province needs to start planning for a new one very soon.

91裸聊视频淚t is inadequate for managing future floods91裸聊视频� given the increased volume and frequency of floods as a result of climate change, and the Province of B.C. needs to begin planning for its replacement,91裸聊视频� she said.

91裸聊视频淔looding is projected to become much more common in the next few decades, damaging public and private infrastructure at great cost.91裸聊视频�

Reimer said he91裸聊视频檚 well aware of the changes in weather patterns and behaviours and is responding to it as best he can at the dam.

91裸聊视频淲ith some of the estimates of what the weather and the events that are going to happen due to climate change, going out maybe 20 or 50 years from now, then I don91裸聊视频檛 know that we would be able to manage within the confines of the existing system,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淭his is why we want to get ahead of it, not get caught by surprise91裸聊视频� nothing is going to be done overnight and we have to put a lot of thought into this so we do get it right in the end, so that we can address all the interests and concerns, address First Nations concerns and water supply concerns. Those will all be part of the conversation.91裸聊视频�

READ MORE: Okanagan Lake Dam called 91裸聊视频榠nadequate91裸聊视频� for flood mitigation

twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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