Regional District of North Okanagan
Water Water (Every) Where?
Okanagan Science Centre
The OSC will create new interactive water exhibits at the centre and develop three new programs including outdoor water use camps for youth, lake tours, and low impact gardening.
The project fits well with the OBWB’s focus on outreach and education and will work with the OBWB’s WaterWise program. The OSC has a wide reach in the Okanagan and has shown a high degree of collaboration.
North Kalamalka Intake Protection Zone – Storm Water Outfall Improvements
RDNO – Greater Vernon Water
The project will develop a locate storm outfalls, develop a sampling/monitoring plan to determine the risk that storm water outfall poses to water quality, and work with District of Coldstream to plan improvements to the system.
This project addresses both storm water management, identified as a priority in the OBWB’s Sustainable Water Strategy, and works to improve water quality. The report may be of benefit to other areas looking to do similar projects.
Groundwater Discharge to Okanagan Lake from Deep Creek Watershed
University of British Columbia Okanagan
The project will quantify groundwater discharge into Okanagan Lake.
Groundwater monitoring and regulation has been identified as a priority for the basin by the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council and others. The results of the project can be used to evaluate models used in the OBWB’s Water Supply and Demand study.
Ultrasonic Flow Meter
Otter Lake Water District
A flow meter will be installed to measure flow and draw down on the well.
Groundwater monitoring has been identified as a priority by the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council and others.
Bishop Wild Bird and Native Plant Garden
Bishop Wild Bird Foundation
The foundation will convert a large area of turf grass and perennial flower bed into low-water demonstration gardens using native plants. An outreach and education component will include on-site signage and hosting of public workshops.
This project promotes best practices in water conservation and exhibits a high degree of collaboration. It is tangible and on-the-ground.
Regional District of Central Okanagan
Silvopasture Pilot Project – Water Stewardship Phase 1
Regional District of Central Okanagan
Project is an operational trial of integrating livestock and forest production with conservation practices and water stewardship.
The projects focuses on risks identified in the recently developed source water assessment plans for Oyama and Vernon Creeks. It is very collaborative and has received many letters of support from both local and provincial stakeholders.
Promoting Xeriscapes in the Okanagan Valley to Reduce Outdoor Water Consumption
Okanagan Xeriscape Association
OXA will continue their very successful workshops and educational presentations, develop a demonstration rain garden, work with strata complexes to convert to xeriscaping, and establish a pilot rebate program for homeowners go xeri.
OXA’s website and materials have value valley-wide, and they continue to be a collaborative success story with outreach and education.
Peachland Creek Water Monitoring
District of Peachland
The District will update existing Water Survey of Canada infrastructure to collect real-time stream flow and water quality data.
The proposed monitoring station was identified as a priority in the 2007 Hydrometric Network Requirement report, and will extend the period of record for the existing station. The data collected will allow better management of fish flows.
Water Systems Master Plan
District of West Kelowna
The plan will provide direction for infrastructure development, water conservation policies, regulatory requirements, and identify source protection priorities.
The District has recently merged five separate water utilities, and there are opportunities for implementation and promotion of best practices that will improve water conservation and source protection for the area, benefitting the valley as a whole.
Okanagan Wetlands Regeneration Alliance
Okanagan Greens Society
The project will form a multi-stakeholder committee that will inventory and map wetland areas in and around Lake Country, work with landowners to remediate wetlands where possible, and develop a public outreach program on the importance of wetlands.
This project is very collaborative and could set a precedent for working with wetlands in the Okanagan. Wetlands play an invaluable role in maintaining water quality, but are often seen by the public as low-value lands.
Mill Creek Riparian Management Plan
City of Kelowna
The City will identify areas of the creek in need of protection and restoration, identify possibilities for mitigation, evaluate strategies to minimize storm runoff into the creek, and identify areas of land acquisitions required for compensation areas.
Mill Creek is a major fish bearing stream in the Okanagan that drains into Okanagan Lake. Improvements to the creek will benefit all downstream users, as well as improve fish habitat.
Water Conservation Manual for Municipal Parks & Green Spaces
City of Kelowna
The City of Kelowna will complete assessments and compile the results of the numerous projects undertaken since 2005 to reduce the amount of water used in city parks and green spaces, including research into the use of compost tea as fertilizer and use of drought tolerant grasses.
The City of Kelowna has been a leader in water conservation in city parks. The report delivered from this project will benefit all Okanagan municipalities, most of which would not have the capacity to do the research on their own.
SHIM Mapping within city boundaries
City of Kelowna
This project will locate and describe remaining streams, wetlands, and springs within city boundaries and local Agricultural Land Reserve lands.
This project complements the numerous other Sensitive Habitat Inventory Mapping projects that have occurred throughout the valley.
Regional District Okanagan Similkameen
Osoyoos Lake Foreshore Inventory Mapping and Aquatic Habitat Index Project
Town of Osoyoos
This project will inventory and map the shoreline of Osoyoos Lake and develop an aquatic habitat index that will be shared with the Community Mapping Network.
This FIM work complements other FIM work done in the valley and will also aid in our milfoil permitting processes.
Okanagan River Water Intake Feasibility
Okanagan Nation Alliance
The ONA will identify water licences with intakes on the Okanagan River and connecting oxbows to determine which intakes would be negatively impacted if mid-summer flows were reduced (which would aid with water management for Sockeye).
This project is highly collaborative and could lead to water conservation, benefitting valley residents and sockeye.
Water Ambassador
Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen
RDOS will hire a summer student who will work in the Naramata area to promote water conservation methods through public visits and print material, assisting with setting of irrigation timers, and identifying water restriction violations.
This is a good fit with the OBWB’s Okanagan WaterWise program.
Park Beautification and Water Conservation
Okanagan Falls Parks and Recreation
Ok Falls will convert their flower beds/gardens to xeriscape demonstration gardens, update their irrigation systems, and set up a school stewardship program to maintain the gardens.
There has been limited promotion of xeriscapes in the South Okanagan, despite the greater need for it. The project will result in water conservation, promotion of best practices, as well as education and outreach.
Stream Assessment
District of Summerland
District of Summerland and the South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program will inventory and mapping unconfirmed watercourses within Summerland, which are currently not included in the District’s Watercourse Development Permit Area (and so receive no protection from development).
The water courses are too small to justify/prioritize full SHIM mapping, but identification of the watercourses by a Qualified Environmental Planner will enable protection and regulation of the activities around the streams.
Hart’s Pond Fencing
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS)
RDOS will install cattle fencing to exclude cattle from the pond and reduce coliform and E. Coli contamination by manure.
Hart’s Pond is on crown land and in spring discharges into Okanagan Lake north of a water intake. This project will improve water quality both at the pond and within Okanagan Lake.