June Water Board Report
Highlights from the June 2, 2026 meeting of the Okanagan Basin Water Board, held at the offices of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.Read it here.
Media Releases
Call for Indigenous Youth Artists: Design the Logo for Environmental Flows 2026
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board, the Okanagan Nation Alliance, and the Canadian Water Resources Association are inviting Indigenous youth artists to submit … Read more
Drought Bulletin: Okanagan Starts Season at Highest Drought Level: Check local restrictions and conserve water now
Despite some welcome rainfall in May, the Okanagan continues to face serious drought conditions. Years of below-normal precipitation and low snowpack — which melted earlier … Read more
Okanagan Resilience Starts With You:
Protecting What Matters through Water Smart and FireSmartTM Landscaping Syilx Territory, Osoyoos, B.C. – Against the backdrop of an exceptionally dry spring and record-low snowpacks across the valley, … Read more
Okanagan Basin Water Board Approves 2026–2030 Strategic Direction, Building on More than Five Decades of Valley-Wide Water Stewardship
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is pleased to release its newly-adopted 2026–2030 Strategic Direction, a five-year framework that sets out how … Read more
Board Report – May 2026
At the May Water Board Meeting, Directors discussed early drought risk, regional coordination, and the science and planning needed to support Okanagan communities: OBWB Invites … Read more
Community Support Grows for Rapid Invasive Mussel-Detection Research
A first‑of‑its‑kind effort to protect Okanagan Lake and B.C. from invasive mussels has secured a new major funding commitment. Powered by the Okanagan Basin Water … Read more
Weed ‘Em and Reap: Help Name the Okanagan’s New Milfoil Harvester
Ahead of the public launch of the new transforming milfoil harvester in late spring, the OBWB is inviting the public to help name the machine … Read more
Two Decades of Collaboration Protecting Okanagan’s Water
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – Rooted in collective responsibility for water, now and into the future, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is investing $380,000 this year … Read more
OBWB Applauds The End of Bill M 216, Professional Reliance Act
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is pleased to see that BILL M 216 – 2025: the Professional Reliance Act will be … Read more
Local Rotarians Launch Regional Fundraising Campaign to Protect Okanagan Lakes from Invasive Mussels
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – Rotarians across the Thompson/Okanagan region are stepping up in a major way to help safeguard the future of the B.C. Interior’s lakes … Read more
When the Water Turns Too Clear: Free World Water Day Screening Shows What Invasive Mussels Would Mean for the Okanagan
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – In recognition of World Water Day, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at … Read more
Scientific Investment, Advocacy and Collaboration
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The year 2025 for the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) was a pivotal period marked by leadership transition, an intensified response to … Read more
OBWB Sounds Alarm: Private Member’s Bill Poses Threat to Watersheds,Drinking Water, and Local Governments
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is joining local governments and the Union of BC Municipalities in sounding the alarm over BILL M 216 … Read more
OBWB Launches Annual $350K Grant Program, Prioritizing Innovation in Water Security
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) has opened its intake for the 2026 Water Conservation and Quality Improvement (WCQI) Grant program, … Read more
Okanagan Water Board Invests in ‘Artificial Dog’s Nose’: UBCO eDNA Tool Promises Revolution in Invasive Mussel Detection
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) has committed $200,000 towards funding a UBC Okanagan (UBCO)-led pioneering research project that promises … Read more
OBWB Annual Report Highlights Progress and Future of Okanagan Water
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) held its Annual Meeting today in Kelowna, with presentations and discussions centered around this year’s theme … Read more
New Tool Helps Protect Okanagan Streams and Fish with Real-Time Science-Driven Insights!
Syilx Territory, Penticton, B.C. – As the Okanagan region faces increasing environmental pressures and the critical need to balance human water use with ecosystem health, the … Read more
Okanagan Resilience Starts in Your Yard: Discover FireSmart™ and Waterwise Landscaping
Armstrong, B.C. – Syilx Territory – A new campaign was launched today on the cusp of wildfire season, titled “Make Water Work, Plant FireSmart™.” Held … Read more
Province Boosts Aquatic Protection: Invasive Mussel Focus in Proposed Wildlife Act Changes
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) acknowledges a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to protect B.C.’s waterways from … Read more
19 Years Strong: OBWB Invests $350,000 to Protect Okanagan’s Precious Water
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – Fueling a sustainable water future, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is driving change with $350,000 of Water Conservation and … Read more
Incoming Executive Director and COO take Oath of Office for OBWB
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is embarking on a new chapter with the appointment of Melissa Tesche as the … Read more
Melissa Tesche Named New OBWB Executive Director
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) proudly welcomes Melissa Tesche as its new Executive Director. Tesche, already well-known to the organization, … Read more
OBWB reignites decades-long fight against chemicals in Okanagan Lakes
Kelowna, B.C. – Syilx Territory – The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is renewing its long-standing opposition to aquatic herbicides and pesticides in Okanagan Lakes. … Read more
Okanagan Basin Water Board Appoints James Littley as Chief Operating Officer
Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is pleased to announce the appointment of James Littley as its first-ever Chief Operating Officer (COO). … Read more
