Merritt residents concerned about potential dike breach

MERRITT, B.C. — A high streamflow advisory has been put in place for the Nicola region and some residents are concerned about more flooding after a potential breach of an old dike.

“Not a breach yet but it’s very possible soon,” said Michael Beauclair, private property owner and former flood victim. “I don’t want to go through another flood again so there’s definitely a concern.”

The situation with the old dike is located roughly 100 metres due east from the end of Garcia Street.

Beauclair said this has been a problem for a couple of months now and he hasn’t heard anything back from the city about the issue or possible solutions.

“I sent an email to the City of Merritt on February 14 with some pictures that outlined the area of erosion in the dike, but if they don’t deal with it this old dike is going to breach.”

Mayor Mike Goetz said they are aware of the problem and are trying to get it solved as quickly as they can.

“We are aware of the problem,” said Goetz. “We are talking to the provincial government right now to let us go ahead, fix that up, and help us with the cost. Rick [Green, Director of Public Works and Engineering Services] is on that and we will act on that as we have to.”

As of now, the city has sandbags available to residents in the Civic Centre parking lot.

Image Credit: Contributed / Michael Beauclair

Image Credit: Contributed / Michael Beauclair