The Okanagan Could Face a Drought This Summer

The B.C. government is urging residents to reduce their water consumption, including those in Okanagan, as we could be facing a drought season.

Weather conditions are expected to remain hot and dry and some regions are already experiencing level three drought conditions. The province is asking residents to take part in a voluntary water reduction of 20 per cent or more. This includes municipal, agricultural, and industrial users. Staff with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations anticipates that the region will likely experience significant water supply shortages in 2015, unless there is substantial precipitation between now and the end of June.

Vancouver Island is already experiencing drought-like conditions in some areas, while the Interior is considered “dry”. Because of extremely low snowpack levels in some regions and warm temperatures forecast for the upcoming months, it is anticipated that the future water supply shortages could include the Okanagan.

Photo Credit: Living Water Smart

There are several things residents can do to conserve water, including limiting outdoor watering, not watering during the heat of the day, considering planting drought-tolerant vegetation, taking shorter showers, not leaving the tap running, and installing water-efficient showerheads and toilets.

Water users are also encouraged to ensure that water intakes are screened to prevent fish from being pulled into water systems as water levels drop. Low water levels can impede the passage of salmon to spawning grounds, increase susceptibility to disease, or cause stranding or death due to low oxygen and high water temperatures.

Groundwater measurements taken at provincial observation wells currently indicate normal seasonal levels. However, shallow wells connected to streams are likely vulnerable to going dry earlier than usual this year. Well owners are encouraged to conserve water by using less and relying on stored water.