Vernon Morning Star – August 24, 2018
The provincial government elevated the Okanagan to a Level 2 drought rating due to low flows in several important local streams.
The province is encouraging everyone to use water wisely and ensure local drought management plans are ready to activate if needed.
In the Okanagan Water Basin Board’s latest Okanagan Drought Bulletin, they say Okanagan water purveyors are generally experiencing average supply conditions, but regional drought conditions have escalated after weeks of hot, dry conditions. Kokanee and other fish species need sufficient flows in the fall to successfully spawn and fisheries scientists are becoming concerned about flows in several Okanagan streams, especially if the current weather patterns continue.