THE
Review
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BIG PUMPKIN
Weigh in at the bus station See page 11
FALL IS FOOTBALL SEASON
Getting in the game at SESS See page 11
RESERVOIR RUNNING
Official commissioning of the reservoir See page 3
Vol.16 Number 42
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Taste of our Valley Sat., Oct. 18 See pages 14 & 15
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Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
Planning Society releases phase one results of Similkameen Watershed study
Public input sought as phase two gets underway By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com
Members of the Similkameen Valley Planning Society and staff from the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen hosted an open house to bring Similkameen residents up to date with the progress of the Similkameen Watershed Study on Tuesday, October 7. SVPS Chair Manfred Bauer explained the study’s beginnings to a gathering of approximately 15 residents at Victory Hall. He said the study Photo by Steve Arstad came about after two other studies - an amenity study in 2009 and a 2011 strategy study for a sustainable Similkameen Grist Mill Manager Chris Mathieson drops numbered apples into Keremeos Creek during Apple Day - pointed to water as the number one apple races. The mill’s regular season came to an end Thanksgiving weekend with the apple festival priority of Similkameen residents. on October 13. Looking on is Joyce Barton. Bauer said the watershed study is French concluded his presentation creation of a water database for the valintended to produce a non-regulatory ley, in addition to creating a communica- by requesting citizen involvement in the water plan for the Similkameen, a docution plan and background reports on the study. ment meant to drive water policy and “This is a grass roots effort,” he valley’s water issues. shape water use in future years. said, “watch for upcoming seminars Phase one fi ndings produced informaRDOS Public Works Manager Doug and workshops. We want to hear your tion on the Similkameen’s streamflow, French, along with Communications thoughts.” water quality, water useage, and groundConsultant Andrew Stuckey, made a During question period following the water data. If further funding becomes short presentation outlining phase one presentation, it was observed by one available, a phase three portion of the results of the watershed study so far. resident that the health of riparian areas study intends to look at Similkameen French admitted the study initially was linked to high river flows, therefore groundwater in more detail. “did not have a lot of good base info” controlling high flows through construcPhase one also produced data relating adding further that phase one had identition of a dam or other method would to lakes, wetlands and riparian areas in fied some information gaps that would be not result in a healthier river system, a the valley, in addition to looking at cliaddressed as the study moves into phase comment to which RDOS Public Works mate change, fish habitat, species at risk, two. land use, flood / drought issues and water Manager Doug French agreed. The results of phase one included the obligations.