Staving Off a Revolt

...and thank goodness he did!

Head of RDNO, David Sewell, responded to Lumby's request to release water from Duteau's reservoirs by saying flood control isn't what the reservoirs are for.  And that our water reservoirs are too small to mitigate flooding in Lumby.

...seems Sewell remembered the purpose of the water reservoirs is to ensure an adequate water supply for Greater Vernon.  Drinking water.  Irrigation water.

an article from 2008

"GVW customers would've drawn 'n quartered the head of RDNO," Kia would've offered, "had he buckled to Lumby's demands."


Now all he needs to do is to stave off a customer revolt because of water prices!
Water prices are the talk of the town...again.

This water war appears to have been staved off.
For the time being.

Dispensable Dam

Today's question:

"Since Aberdeen Reservoir's water capacity is greater than the maximum used over any of the last four years--and agriculture's consumption 'is not expected to increase' (Greater Vernon Water officials)--why is GVW raising the height of Aberdeen dam at all?
Let alone by 4 metres?" 

True or False:  (select one, or?)

1.  Agricultural consumption will increase;
2.  Unaccounted for water will remain unaccounted for in years to come;
3.  Outflow (production) numbers are incorrect;
4.  Dirt bikers attempt the higher sides, albeit only once;
5.  Fisheries want to confine to uplands a new species of jumping fish;
6.  Cheaper than giving away sand and sandbags downstream every year;
7.  Bureaucrats want it visible from space; 
8.  Mussels re-categorized to marsupial species;
9.  GVW flies in the face of climate change, as upland water sources will be the first affected-and more drastically-than valley-bottom lakes.
10.  Other:  _____________________

Seriously...

When it came to planning the size of the treatment plant at Duteau Creek, unrealistic "projected" numbers -- compared to actual -- were used, generally averaging 50 per cent incorrect, as shown:

(click table to enlarge)

Any way you slice it, increasing the dam height isn't needed.
We're only using 77 per cent of the existing reservoir's capacity as it is!
 
Especially since domestic customers are obeying the Okanagan Basin Water Board's directive.


"I'd have opted for mussels jumping a la kangaroos," offers Kia.

Agriculture is increasing its consumption, as evidenced. 

GVW should really study the impact of climate change on upland water sources.