The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is notifying the public that the Greater Vernon Water Haddo Dam is predicted to reach maximum capacity this weekend and spill, causing rapidly increasing flows to Duteau Creek Haddo Dam.
The RDNO has multiple dams that store water in high-elevation reservoir lakes on the Aberdeen Plateau. During the summer, water is released from the reservoirs and treated at the Duteau Creek Treatment Plant before getting to household taps. Reservoirs are vital to the health of the community by storing water to use in the drier summer months, but they only hold a limited volume. In the spring, when the snow melts, the reservoirs reach their maximum water volume and then overflow or “spill” into the spillways. These spillways are designed to handle the overflow, safely conveying the water to creeks and streams while protecting the dams, keeping the lake at manageable water levels.
The Greater Vernon Water Grizzly Dam and Aberdeen Dam have reached their maximum volume and are spilling into Haddo Dam. The Haddo Dam is expected to reach its maximum volume as soon as Friday and start spilling into Duteau Creek.
“Dams are designed to spill into the natural waterways once the reservoirs are full to protect against the dam overtopping,” stated Zee Marcolin, RDNO General Manager of Utilities. “This is the normal function of dams and reservoirs. Our concern is that the flow in Duteau Creek and downstream can increase unexpectedly and rapidly.”
Once the spill occurs, water in the creek rises rapidly and moves more quickly at a higher volume. Persons living or working near creeks and streams should be aware that water levels may rise quickly during this time and should exercise caution around fast-moving water.
For more information, please email utilities@rdno.ca or contact 250-550-3700.
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For media inquiries:
Stacey Raftus, Communications Officer
communications@rdno.ca