Okanagan water conservation campaign wraps up, Board wary of drought conditions over the winter

As the temperatures dip and people across the Okanagan are shutting down their irrigation systems and preparing their gardens for a dormant season, the Okanagan Basin Water Board continues to watch drought levels in the region.

“The rains in the last few weeks have been very welcome and have helped move the province’s drought level for the Okanagan region from 5, as of Sept. 28, to a current Level 2,” says Water Board communications director Corinne Jackson.

The end of the irrigation season and there is less demand for water has also helped, she added.

Although the Okanagan Valley was moved to level two drought in late October, there are pockets in the valley that are still struggling.

A few local creeks are still at higher drought levels due to low flows and some metered groundwater stations are still showing below normal levels, says a release form the province.

“We need to see significant precipitation this fall and winter to help groundwater supplies and reservoirs bounce back. If this doesn’t happen, we could begin the 2024 irrigation season in drought,” Jackson said, noting residents and water managers may need to make choices about where water is best used.

Those conservation choices are behind the OBWB’s Okanagan WaterWise “Make Water Work” program, which ran for its 11th year.

The campaign runs from May to October when water demands are their peak.

However, the Okanagan is likely in for a warmer and drier winter and the OBWB is reminding residents up and down the valley to continue avoiding water waste by conserving the water they use indoors.

Now that the 2023 Make Water Work campaign has wrapped up another year, the OBWB is happy to announce two lucky winners who have each won $500 towards a WaterWise yard upgrade.

Shannan Machulski from West Kelowna and Ken De Grott of Vernon each won $500 towards their yard transformation.

In addition, the City of Armstrong was named this year’s Make Water Work Community Champion for collecting the most water conservation pledges per capita.