Castanet – July 20, 2022
One of Summerland’s key dams has been repaired and reopened after an issue was found in 2013 with one of the outlet pipes.
The upgrades to the Isintok Dam got underway in 2021 and were completed back in January. Mayor and council were present on Tuesday afternoon, alongside MLA Dan Ashton to officially mark the opening.
Mayor Toni Boot said the importance of getting this done was to not only make sure the dam follows the safety levels established by the provincial government, but also to protect the residents of Summerland if any flooding were to occur.
“It’s just really important for people to know that with the ongoing monitoring, and the work that has been done in here over the last few months, that it all contributes to the safety not only for the people that are living here now but also for the people in the future,” she said.
The Isintok Dam is one of 12 dams that are on the Trout Creek system.
“It’s really important to make sure that we’re protecting that, and that we have the water that we need, whether we’re in a very dry period like we experienced last year, or if water is more plentiful, then we’re able to store it,” Bood said.
Anna Warwick Sears, the executive director of the Okanagan Basin Water Board, said the dam work is important in a time of protecting the environment and focusing on climate change solutions.