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.

香蕉视频直播淓specially considering the age (of the dam), it香蕉视频直播檚 held up pretty well,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淲e don香蕉视频直播檛 actually have any real concerns in terms of a structural issue香蕉视频直播� 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 we香蕉视频直播檙e working towards that.香蕉视频直播�

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

香蕉视频直播淚t is inadequate for managing future floods香蕉视频直播� 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,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淔looding is projected to become much more common in the next few decades, damaging public and private infrastructure at great cost.香蕉视频直播�

Reimer said he香蕉视频直播檚 well aware of the changes in weather patterns and behaviours and is responding to it as best he can at the dam.

香蕉视频直播淲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 don香蕉视频直播檛 know that we would be able to manage within the confines of the existing system,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淭his is why we want to get ahead of it, not get caught by surprise香蕉视频直播� 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.香蕉视频直播�

READ MORE: Okanagan Lake Dam called 香蕉视频直播榠nadequate香蕉视频直播� for flood mitigation

twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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