Dam this idea?

The Vancouver Sun reports that the Washington State government is considering an application to dam the Similkameen River just on the US side of the border south of Keremeos. The desert valley you see in the photo above is what will be flooded to generate power.

The Vancouver Sun reports that the flooding estimated will raise the river level on the Canadian side of the border. Clearly, some negotiation between the respective state and provincial governments would happen with a proposal like this.

I confess, if you were going to flood a place in this region, you probably couldn't find one more desolate. With temperatures often hitting 40 degrees celcius in the summer, this hot, arid country is stunningly beautiful if not terribly inviting to humans.

To me and my family, there is sentimental value in this place. Before all this passport fiasco, we would usually cross the border at Nighthawk (it's one building in the middle of a desert, folks), drive along the river through the desert, and drop back up to Canada at the border crossing at Oroville. It is one of the most rewarding detours you can take in the South Okanagan.

I can hardly tell the people of Washington what to do with their river valley. We are finding excuses to increase hydro power production here in BC, and I support well-implemented power projects.

Regardless of Washington state's decision to flood or not to flood, I recommend that you visit this place. You'll never forget it.