The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is warning of higher water levels soon to come due to annual dam spilling, which could cause a hazard for people living or working near local creeks and streams.
Greater Vernon Water's Haddo Dam is predicted to reach maximum capacity and spill this weekend, causing rapidly increasing flows to Duteau Creek, the RDNO said Thursday.
The regional district has multiple dams that store water in high-elevation reservoir lakes on the Aberdeen Plateau. During the summer, water is released from the reservoirs and gets treated before it makes its way to household taps.
The RDNO says reservoirs are vital to the community as they store water to use in the drier summer months — but they only hold a limited volume. In the spring, when the snow melts, the reservoirs reach their maximum capacity and overflow, or "spill," into spillways.
These spillways are designed to handle the overflow, safely conveying the water to creeks and streams while protecting the dams and keeping the lake at manageable water levels.
The regional district says the Grizzly Dam and Aberdeen Dam have reached their maximum volume and are spilling into Haddo Dam. The Haddo Dam is expected to reach its maximum volume as soon as Friday, May 30. Once it is full, it will start spilling into Duteau Creek.
“Dams are designed to spill into the natural waterways once the reservoirs are full to protect against the dam overtopping,” said Zee Marcolin, RDNO general manager of utilities. “This is the normal function of dams and reservoirs. Our concern is that the flow in Duteau Creek and downstream can increase unexpectedly and rapidly.”
Once the spill occurs, water in the creek will rise rapidly and move more quickly.
People living or working near creeks and streams are advised to be aware that water levels may rise quickly during this time and caution is needed around the fast-moving water.
For more information, email utilities@rdno.ca or call 250-550-3700.
