Osoyoos is taking proactive steps to boost flood preparedness with a hands-on tiger dam training exercise happening on Sunday, March 30 at Gyro Park. This collaborative effort brings together the Town of Osoyoos, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS), regional municipalities, and local First Nations to ensure that crews are ready to act quickly in the event of a flood.
The drill is designed to familiarize first responders, public works teams, and utility workers with how to properly deploy tiger dams—an essential flood mitigation tool. These portable, water-filled barriers can be rapidly installed to protect critical infrastructure and property when water levels rise.
Public Welcome to Observe
Curious about how tiger dams work? Members of the public are invited to observe the exercise from the beach area in front of the Watermark Resort, offering a great vantage point while keeping a safe distance from the training zone.
This initiative follows a major funding win earlier this year. The Town of Osoyoos, Village of Keremeos, RDOS, and the Lower Similkameen Indian Band received a $600,000 grant through the Union of BC Municipalities’ Community Emergency Preparedness Fund. The funding supports the purchase of tiger dams and two transport trailers to enhance regional emergency response capacity.
This training is not only about preparedness—it’s about building community resilience. By investing in people, tools, and teamwork, Osoyoos and its regional partners are helping ensure the South Okanagan is ready for whatever nature brings.
