KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops is closing all city-run boat launches tonight due to rising waters.
That includes launches at Pioneer Park, McArthur Island and Thompson Drive at 10:00 p.m.
Utility Services Manager Greg Wightman says the decision was made due to a predicted rise in river levels this weekend.
“We’re closing all the boat launches just to keep people off the river from a safety standpoint as far as the amount of water that’s flowing down the river and also the amount of debris out there right now.”
Compared to last year at this time, he says we’re right on track for river levels we saw last year.
“So, 10 centimetres plus or minus, but that’s what we’re expecting and planning for right now, levels similar to what we saw last year.”
Along with the coming boat closures, the city has also closed the Rivers Trail between Riverside Park and Pioneer Park, closed the pier at Riverside Park, turned the pathway lighting from the Riverside Park pier to Sandman Centre, and covered catch basins to prevent river water from backing up onto roadways.
The city also encourages residents in low-lying areas to protect their properties by placing sandbags around their homes. Sandbags are available at fire stations throughout the city.
