The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) last night declared a State of Local Emergency in Windermere due to rising water levels on Windermere Creek and the potential for flooding in low-lying areas where the creek flows into Lake Windermere.

“We will be working with the province to get approvals to do the work within the creek channel, and if approved, will mobilize equipment as quickly as possible,” said RDEK information officer Loree Duczek. “Windermere Creek has been running high for several days and increasing sedimentation within the channel has magnified the potential for flooding.”

Duczek also provided updates on other Columbia Valley water woes from the past week or so.

“Users on the Windermere Water System are able to return to normal water use (although conservation is always a good thing!),” she noted.

The Boil Water Notice remains in effect on the Edgewater Water System.

“A heart-felt thank you to residents for their efforts to conserve as much water as possible and limit all non-essential water use. Your patience and cooperation is so appreciated.  The need to conserve continues as we haul water to fill the steel reservoir until turbidity levels in the lake drop or an alternate solution is in place. The good news is, the turbidity levels are dropping and the water is starting to clear up in Lake Baptiste following the debris flow on May 31.  Operators are starting to flush the line between the lake and reservoir so that it has been flushed and is ready once we are able to begin refilling the system,” Duczek reported.

In Fairmont Hot Springs the evacuation alerts remain in place on Cold Spring Creek and Fairmont Creek.  Crews made good progress again June 9 as they continued working to regain capacity in the debris traps and channels on both creeks.

Water levels at Wasa Lake are also being monitored, Duczek noted.

“Wasa Lake levels have remained relatively stable since yesterday. As we get closer to the weekend, the possibility of rain remains in the forecast.

“A reminder that self-fill sandbag stations have been set up in multiple locations around the region – as we remain vulnerable to flooding, particularly in the event of heavy rain.

For a list of the sandbag stations and other resources.

Lead image: Map showing the area under the state of local emergency. RDEK map

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