Two communities in the Okanagan will take steps to protect themselves from flooding caused by climate change through an investment of more than $9.1 million from the federal and provincial governments, and municipalities of Vernon and Lumby.
The project will replace the Vernon Creek crossing of 43rd Street, located upstream of the Vernon Water Reclamation Centre, with a clear span bridge. This will allow for channel widening to increase capacity while safeguarding the creek's embankments and fish habitats. The crossing replacement will protect the centre from recurring floods as well as protect six residential roads and approximately 50 properties from flooding.
In Lumby, funding will construct a 460-metre setback dike on the right bank of Duteau Creek, and a 477-metre waterside dike on the right bank of Bessette Creek, while restoring affected floodplains. The development of nearly one kilometre of physical flood protection for the community will be at critical areas that have historically experienced flooding.
