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New Vance Creek Reservoir
Current and future real estate development on the lands deleted from Silver Star Provincial Park will result in significantly higher demands for potable water, and in an attempt to meet those demands, the resort has constructed a new water reservoir near Paradise Camp, on the ridge between Vance Creek and Putnam Creek. The photo below shows the reservoir in the summer of 2008, before filling with water. Filling is to begin in the Spring of 2009, and the reservoir is engineered to capture meltwater from the Spring thaw.
If you happen to be cross country skiing at the resort, you can ski right past the reservoir on your way from the village up to Paradise Camp, taking the Paradise Camp trail. Don't confuse it with the much smaller 10 million gallon Paradise Lake, which is higher up the hill beside the "Home Run" T-bar.
New 50 million gallon Vance Creek Reservoir - Summer 2008
Aerial view showing location of new Vance Creek Reservoir
Resort Starts Reservoir Construction Without Required License
In what appears to be an emerging pattern for development on the mountain, the ski resort commenced construction of the new Vance Creek reservoir without the proper water license in place. When the construction of the dam and reservoir was finally discovered, the Ministry of Environment issued a stop work order. Click the photo icon below to read an article extracted from "The Other Beaver", a local online newspaper.
Heavy Equipment Alters Natural Drainage to Fill Reservoir
In what appears to be an effort to direct Spring meltwater into its new water reservoir, the ski resort has altered the natural drainage above it. Heavy equipment was seen working on the area above the reservoir in the Spring and Summer of 2008, resculpting the topography. The photo below shows some of the work being done in the Paradise Camp area.
Heavy equipment resculpting lands above new Vance Creek Reservoir
Taxpayers pay $7.2 Million for New Silver Star Reservoir
Since Silver Star Mountain Resort is located in the North Okanagan Regional District (NORD), the new reservoir will become a public utility, and will be operated by the resort, as are the other reservoirs on the mountain. The cost to build the reservoir was originally estimated at $4.3 million, but in the end, NORD ended up paying $7.2 million.
It is assumed that the cost of construction will be paid back over time by development on the mountain. The unfortunate outcome of this arrangement is that it essentially makes the regional district a partner with the resort, for if development stalls, the taxpayer is left with the $7.2 million debt. This has the potential to prejudice every decision regarding future development on the mountain, and almost ensures that the Regional District will approve the golf course, despite environmental and public health concerns. Without the golf course fairways to dispose of the increased sewage volumes, development on the mountain must come to a grinding halt.
To read an article from the local paper regarding the new reservoir, click on the icon below:
