Okanagan’s drought level rises

The Okanagan Basin is now ranked at Drought Level 2.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre raised the valley’s drought rating on Thursday, May 16.

The Level 2, or “Very Dry” conditions, are defined as “not posing a likely adverse impact to the socio-economic or ecosystem values,” but the provincial agency still recommends people conserve water and follow water restrictions.

In response to the drought level increasing, the Okanagan Basin Water Board stated the region hasn’t properly recovered from last year’s drought due to the relatively dry winter and spring, the low snowpack, and the above normal temperatures.

“Okanagan drought levels have been set to “Very Dry” (Level 2). At this level, there is emphasis on curtailing unauthorized water use and water suppliers may consider implementing water restrictions,” the OBWB stated.

“Local water restrictions (stages) are set using different indicators than provincial drought levels, and water supply conditions vary across the region. Whether a utility moves to a higher restriction stage depends on several factors, including customer demand, infrastructure capacity, and local water supply conditions. That said, everyone should be using water wisely.”

The OBWB noted most years in the past have not seen the drought level for the Okanagan basin increase to the “Very Dry” rank before June.

The Water Board also advised agricultural producers to manage their water to ensure crops are kept alive without putting too much strain on the local water supply, and that the general public pledge to the Make Water Work campaign to limit their consumption.

The South Thompson and Nicola basins were also ranked at Drought Level 2 Thursday, while all the basins east of the Okanagan were at Level 1.