The District of Summerland may be getting some help from the provincial government in repairs needed to Eneas Creek after two years of flooding.
Back-to-back years of flooding in 2017, 2018 for the creek running from Garnet Lake, directly through the community to Okanagan Lake near Peach Orchard Beach has left the waterway in rough shape.
The municipality has identified six projects on the creek eligible for provincial disaster relief worth a combined $577,300, according to a report going before council next week.
The reconstruction of Centennial Trail, which was partially scoured out in the flooding and removal of danger trees in the area will cost an estimated $192,000. Lock blocks need to be removed and creek banks reinforced in Peach Orchard Campground.
Erosion must be repaired along Peach Orchard Road, deposited material needs to be removed from the Okanagan Lake outlet and creek capacity will be improved near Garnet Ave.
If the district receives the maximum provincial funding local taxpayers will still be on the hook for $115,460.
About $45,000 worth of design and environmental work is needed before the application can be submitted, so council will vote Monday whether to pull that money from the capital reserve and revise this year’s budget.
The funds for the actual repairs will come out of the 2020 budget.
Numerous other repairs recommended for the creek earlier this year, including several to be carried out by private landowners, will need to be tackled further down the road. The total bill for the needed repairs and flood mitigation work is estimated to be $2.5 million.
