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Salmon Arm roadways damaged by water and landslides

Crews are working to manage high water flows, mud and debris, Foothill Road remains closed
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Driveways along foothill road were damaged by flooding on Friday, May 5. The road remains closed.-image credit: Jim Elliot/ Salmon Arm Observer.

Flooded roads continue to affect residents within the boundaries of the City of Salmon Arm.

Currently Foothill Road remains closed as crews are working to manage high water flows, mud and debris.

“We have had to create a dam down the centre of the road to help contain this unusual water flow,” says Ted Whanstall, city roads and transportation supervisor.

“It is likely to remain closed for some time as the contractors work,” he said, noting there has been superficial damage to gardens and driveways but limited damage to any structures.

“We’ve been able to keep main buildings intact and the situation is fairly well contained now, as long as we don’t get any more sudden cloudbursts,” says Whanstall.

In addition Okanagan Ave east of 60th Street is still problematic and will also be closed for the foreseeable future.

“We’ve got a machine there to protect the culvert and ensure it keeps running,” says Whanstall.

A few roads in Gleneden near Gayle Creek are also partially blocked, however, are still passable at this time. These are roads with very low volumes of traffic.

Problems with culverts overflowing are creating some of the issues and roadway repairs may be needed once the flooding situation has receded.