Drought Could Make it Difficult to Manage West Kelowna Water Supply

Warmer temperatures and drier conditions has resulted in low snowpack levels in the Okanagan, and if drought conditions persist through a consecutive year it might be challenging to refill reservoirs.

The District of West Kelowna mulled over a report on Tuesday evening regarding the state of the District’s water supply and were advised that snowpacks are measuring at 48 per cent of normal, equating approximately to a 20 year drought scenario.

Snowpacks are an essential component to water storage for the Okanagan.

“Instead of immediately infiltrating the soil or running off into stream channels as rainfall does, this water is first stored in the snowpack for several months. When the winter snowpack melts in the spring, it becomes a significant portion of the water available for filling reservoirs,” read the report conducted by Allen Fillion, GM of Engineering and Public Works.

Despite the current dry conditions, both the Lambly Creek and the Powers Creek watersheds have enough sustenance to provide an adequate supply for 2015 however, storage levels are in trouble.

“Reservoir levels could be a concern in the Powers Creek watershed if there are successive drought years. lf dry conditions persist through 2015, then the Powers Creek watershed would begin 2016 with less storage than typical,” read the report.

In preparing for the future, the District recommended utilizing maximum storage methods and increase public awareness to ensure watering restrictions are being followed.

Moving forward, staff will continuously monitor the situation and will conduct a public information campaign about water conservation. In addition, the District will continue to grow their partnership with the Okanagan Basin Water Board to promote the Waterwise Initiative, which aims at primarily educating residents of the Okanagan Valley about water issues.

Given the dry conditions and warm temperatures, it's essential the build on the current Water Conservation Program.

The Water Master Plan originally recommended a capital expenditure of $100,000 per year for a five year period to develop and implement a Water Conservation Program.