Photo: Okanagan Nation Alliance
Vaseux Creek, north of Oliver, is now dry.
It’s dry out there and it’s getting drier.
The Okanagan Basin Water Board warns of “extremely dry” conditions in the West Kootenay, Lower Columbia, Okanagan, Thompson, Nicola, Lower Fraser, South Coast and Vancouver Island basins and of “exceptionally dry” (Level 5) conditions in the Kettle Basin .
The long-term forecast provides for above-average temperatures for the next three months. Precipitation is more difficult to predict in the long run, but there is a chance that rain showers will hit for much of the Okanagan next week. While rain would bring some relief in low streams and arid landscapes, it takes a considerable amount to really make a difference and improve drought conditions.
These persistently unprecedented dry and hot conditions have led the provincial government to increase the level of drought in the Okanagan.
At drought level 4, license holders who do not get their water from local water supply companies are asked to reduce their water consumption by half.
Water license holders who get their water directly from one of the great lakes or the Okanagan River Canal are also encouraged to conserve water.
In the remainder of the summer, a general voluntary reduction in water use from surface and groundwater in southern BC is encouraged.
In areas where voluntary water reduction has already been carried out, it has helped to slow down the aggravation of drought conditions and the need for regulatory action.
Conditions vary between catchment areas in the Okanagan Basin, which explains why neighboring jurisdictions may require different restrictions.
The coordination between the OBWB and the province is ongoing.
All water users in the affected areas must reduce their water consumption where possible and comply with any irrigation restrictions imposed by their local / regional government, water company or irrigation district.
If conservation measures do not produce sufficient results and the drought conditions worsen, official measures can be taken in accordance with the Water Sustainability Act, e.g.
British Columbia rates drought levels from zero to five, with drought level 5 being the most severe.
Due to the increased stress for the fish from low currents and high water temperatures, there is also plenty of freshwater fishing throughout the region.
Anglers are encouraged to report fish deaths to their local fish and wildlife bureau or the RAPP hotline, 1-877-952-7277.
Water used to extinguish a fire or to contain and control the spread of a fire is exempt from a provincial water permit or permit.
