Enjoy the beaches and boat launches this weekend as the water recedes.
Areas along Kelowna’s waterfront are starting to reopen as water levels continue to recede.
Boaters can use any of the boat launches in Kelowna as the Sutherland Bay boat launch located at 700 Ellis Street has reopened. In addition, both lanes are now open at the Water Street boat launch located at 1354 Water Street.
A reminder to residents and visitors planning on boating on area lakes to follow the guidelines for respectful boating as lake levels remain high, according to a City of Kelowna release. Boaters can view the boating wake maps, which indicate no and low wake boating areas in order to protect against wave action and shoreline erosion.
The removal of flood protection measures from beaches along Kelowna’s waterfront is ongoing. Flood protection measures at the following waterfront parks were removed this week:
Hot Sands Beach at City Park (1600 Abbott Street)
Strathcona Beach Park (2290 Abbott Street)
Kinsmen Park (2600 Abbott Street)
Rotary Beach Park (3726 Lakeshore Road)
These locations may still have some debris remaining on the beaches following the removal of bladder dams and gabions, and cleanup efforts will continue over the coming weeks, said the release.
These beaches are in addition to locations which have already reopened or were able to stay open during high lake levels including Tugboat Beach at Waterfront Park, Boyce-Gyro Beach Park, Sarsons Beach Park, Cedar Creek Park and Paul’s Tomb and Lochview Trail.