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Summerland has experienced past flood damages

Floods in 1908, 1948, 1972 and more recently have taken a toll on the community
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Flooding affected Garnet Valley in Summerland in 1908. On Saturday June 6, 1908, a dam at Garnet Lake failed. Water spilled into Garnet Valley and Peach Orchard Road, reaching Okanagan Lake. The road, bridges and culverts were damaged as a result of this flood. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Spring flooding has affected Summerland on multiple occasions over the years.

In 2017 and 2018, Summerland experienced two consecutive years of extensive flooding.

In addition to lakeshore damage, creeks were flooded in the community during those years. Orchards in Garnet Valley were swamped and in some areas, water covered the surface of the roads.

READ ALSO: Summerland damaged during flood of 1908

READ ALSO: Summerland trail reopens after flooding damage

The community also sustained extensive damage to its shore.

A walking path was eroded during these two years of flooding.

Repairs to the damages were completed in late June 2021.

A portion of the Centennial Trail, near Peach Orchard Road and beside Eneas Creek, had also been closed because of the flooding. A 600-metre portion of the 4.5-kilometre trail was restored and reopened in late October 2022.

Earlier, the community had experienced significant flooding in 1972, when a flood affected Trout Creek, a bridge at the research station was washed away during this flood.

High water in the spring of 1948 also caused flooding in Summerland and the rest of the Okanagan.

An earlier flood, in 1908, affected the Garnet Valley area of Summerland.

On Saturday, June 6, 1908, the Garnet Valley Land Company’s dam failed. Water flooded Garnet Valley and Peach Orchard Road.

The road, bridges and culverts were damaged during this flood.

In addition, orchards in the area were destroyed by flood waters.

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A path in Trout Creek was closed due to flooding in 2018. (Summerland Review file photo)
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In the spring of 2018, flood waters covered streets in parts of Summerland. Dams and dikes were set up to control the flood conditions. (Summerland Review file photo)


John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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