The declared drought level (level 3) in the Okanagan has held over the last few weeks. The occasional rain events have led to high enough flows to prevent drought levels from increasing, but so far have not remained high enough for long enough to justify moving down a level.
Water management remains especially important as salmon return to the valley, and making sure there are enough flows and low enough water temperatures for them is important.
Water is also important for agriculture as many producers enter the last month of their licensed irrigation season.
Stream flows remain variable, with regulated streams doing better, and some unregulated streams being dry despite recent rains.
Shaun Reimer is releasing extra water from Okanagan Lake over the next few days to help the Okanagan sockeye salmon get up past Zosel dam and travel into their Canadian spawning areas. It’s a very significant fish return year, and it’s fortunate that the weather and water temperatures have cooled.