2025-02: Priority Drainage Improvement

The Priority Drainage Improvement project is an annually funded project to help manage emerging drainage issues as well as high priority overland flow routes identified in the Drainage Infrastructure Prioritization Plan (DIPP). The DIPP identified a prioritized strategy to invest in drainage improvements and the areas identified in this project were identified as a priority for the City to complete improvements to. The project covers three different areas along the Eastside Road area and Smith Creek:

1. Ditching improvements along Eastside and Okanagan Landing Road.

2. Ditching and storm main improvements along Smith Road.

3. Ditching and storm main improvements along Kokanee Road.

The drainage improvements are designed to accommodate major events and take into account potential impacts from climate change. The City is completing design and working to retain a qualified contractor to complete the upgrades in 2025.

LATEST UPDATE DECEMBER 15, 2025:

Directional drilling for the new storm main between Kokanee Road and Smith Road is continuing, and the outlet has now been daylighted. The inlet structure has been installed, and hydroseeding has begun in disturbed areas. Final restoration and paving are scheduled for 2026. The figure below shows the horizontal directional drill progressing.

Previous updates:

November 24, 2025:
The contractor continues to advance the installation of the directionally drilled storm main between Kokanee Road and Smith Road. Progress has been slower than anticipated due to challenging bedrock conditions encountered along the alignment. To mitigate schedule delays, the contractor has requested approval to extend working hours and run additional shifts to complete the drilling portion of the work. Staff are working with the contractor to balance construction productivity with potential impacts to residents.  The picture below shows the receiving pit on Smith Road for the directional drilling. 

November 10, 2025: The contractor is progressing on the new storm main from Kokanee Drive down to Smith Rd. The main is being directionally drilled, as shown in Figure 2 below, with an anticipated completion date of end of November. Once the hole is drilled, the new storm main will be pulled up from Okanagan Lake towards Kokanee. The contractor will be fusing the pipe at the neighbouring boat launch at 8835 Okanagan Landing Road and bringing the pipe towards Smith Rd for installation. During this time, the boat launch will be closed to the public for safety reasons. The launch is expected to be closed for approximately one week.

October 14, 2025: Construction is progressing on schedule as part of the City’s Priority Drainage Improvement Program. Earthworks are underway, with ditch regrading and storm main installation continuing along Smith Road and Kokanee Road. A single-lane alternating detour will be in place on Kokanee Road for most of October to facilitate directional drilling. Completion is anticipated in early December.

September 15, 2025: Earthworks are underway following contractor mobilization earlier this month. Ditch regrading and storm main installation are progressing as part of the City’s Priority Drainage Improvement Program, targeting a high-risk overland flow route identified in the Drainage Infrastructure Prioritization Plan (DIPP). The project remains on schedule, with completion anticipated by November 2025.

September 2, 2025: The contractor has mobilized to site and initiated earthworks as part of the City’s Priority Drainage Improvement Program. The project includes ditch re-grading and storm main installation to improve conveyance along a high-risk overland flow route identified in the Drainage Infrastructure Prioritization Plan (DIPP). Works are designed to mitigate erosion and enhance stormwater capacity during major rainfall events. The project is on schedule, with construction expected to be completed by November 2025.

March 24, 2025: Drainage improvements have been added to the existing contract as part of the Lake Access Site #26 (boat launch replacement) at 8835 Okanagan Landing Rd. Further drainage improvements near the lake access site will be awarded under a separate contract planned for this summer.