OKANAGAN MOVED TO DROUGHT LEVEL 3
Warm and dry conditions have prompted the Government of B.C. to move the Okanagan to a Level 3 drought.
Water suppliers should continue to monitor weather, reservoir and groundwater levels, and customer demand to assess whether higher water restrictions are necessary for your community.
Drought is currently impacting about half of B.C, with extremely dry or very dry conditions in the Okanagan, Shuswap, Thompson-Nicola, Fraser Canyon, and Cariboo regions and on Vancouver Island. In the Okanagan, a warm, dry spring and an unprecedented heat wave in June has stressed water sources and infrastructure. Additionally, Okanagan and Kalamalka lakes did not reach “full pool” this year. Warmer than normal temperatures and below average precipitation is forecasted for the summer.
Residential, agricultural and industrial water users are being asked to observe all water conservation bylaws, watering restrictions, and advice from their local government, irrigation district or water utility.