WATER SOURCES

Looking around the Okanagan it's hard for some of us to believe that water is scarce. The reality is however, that despite our abundance of lakes, we have the lowest per-capita water supply in Canada. Most of our water comes from the seasonal snow pack in upstream lakes and streams. Conserving water is a necessity to guarantee that we have enough water now and in the future, for our children and grandchildren. Reliable, clean water is possible only when source water is collected, treated and distributed according to Interior Health and provincial regulations.

BRENDA LAKE

Brenda Lake is located about 30 km. (19 mi.) northwest of the town of Peachland up Princeton Avenue. Turn left, just before the mine (a sign says to Brenda & MacDonald Lakes) and drive for 5 km. (3 mi.). Turn left again and drive for 1 km. (.6 mi). Brenda is located on your right. The lake is situated at an elevation of 1646 m, is approximately 22 ha (54.3 acres) in size and has a depth of about 6 m (20 ft). It is stocked with Rainbow Trout. The lake may be iced over November to mid-May

GLEN LAKE

Glen Lake is approximately 1,144 elevation, 14 m depth and 1.8 km perimeter.

MCDONALD LAKE

McDonald Lake is a small, shallow lake situated northwest of the Brenda Mine. Lake water is slightly alkaline and relatively soft, with low levels of trace metals. Lake sediments were found to be elevated in cadmium and copper. This is thought to be related to mineralization in the area.

PEACHLAND LAKE

Peachland Lake has a surface area of approximately 109 Ha. Its outlet is dammed and releases from it to the lower reaches of Peachland Creek are controlled. Peachland Lake water is relatively soft, with low levels of trace metals. Two species of fish, Rainbow trout and Longnose suckers, are in Peachland Lake. The lake is stocked each year with 3,000 yearling rainbow trout.

SILVER LAKE

Silver Lake is located about 9 km west of Peachland. Drive up Princeton Ave 5 km to the cattle guard, continue another 6 km where you will see the Headwaters Junction. Go right and travel 4 km to the "Welcome to Silver Lake Camp" sign on the Right side of the road. Follow the driveway 1 km to the main gate.

Silver Lake was named for Jim Silver, road construction foreman who also built the trestles and put in pipe lines to the dam on Trepanier Creek.

The Silver Lake Forestry Centre was originally opened in 1971 under the management of the British Columbia Forestry Association and it has been in continuous use since that time as well as under different management companies. The camp provides recreational and educational opportunities for children and adults.

The Silver Lake Forest Education Society is a non-profit society offering year-round, hands-on, outdoor experience for youth, adults and educators. Sustainable forest management is emphasized through recreational activities and educational programs are designed to broaden the understanding of the forest resource.

Peachland Water Mechanic at Silver Lake outlet

Summer camp at Silver Lake

SILVER LAKE DAM

Silver Lake Dam is located on the south east side of Silver Lake. The height of the dam is up to about 6 m and the width of the dam is about 30 m. The storage capacity of the lake is 456.06 acre foot (AF). The earth-filled dam was originally constructed during the mid 1920's. Re-construction of the Silver Lake Dam was done in the fall of 1980. Silver Lake currently acts as emergency storage for the Trepanier Water Supply System.

EMERGENCY WATER SYSTEM (Okanagan Lake)

The Emergency Pumps are Located at the north end of Beach Avenue and used during peak spring runoff. Water is pumped up from Okanagan Lake and chlorinated immediately for Trepanier Water Users.

The Emergency system consists of 3 pumps: #1 and #2 are 250 HP and provide 1,200 GPM. #3 is 60 HP and provides 300 GPM. The large pump costs approximately $1,000 per week to run and is used during peak spring run-off mid-May to mid-June.

WELLS

The District no longer has any operating wells.