Darren Hanchuh Oct 30, 2026 / 4:00 am |
Even with cooler temperatures and some rain, drought conditions remain severe across the Okanagan, with multiple indicators continuing to show sustained water stress.
That is from the Okanagan Basin Water Board Oct. 5 report.
“September rains improved streamflow and temperature conditions, but did not materially replenish storage in lake levels or groundwater levels,” the report said. “Despite the rain, the basin remains vulnerable through the remainder of the irrigation season and will remain vulnerable well into the next year. Continued water conservation and close monitoring this winter are warranted.”
The report says precipitation deficits remain pronounced across the Valley, even with the fall rains and the deficit gets worse from north to south.
Cumulative precipitation through Oct. 1. was approximately 157 mm in Vernon, 111 mm in Kelowna and 104 mm in Penticton, representing about 59 per cent, 47 per cent and 42 per cent of normal, respectively.
“Even with fall precipitation received, cumulative precipitation across all three regions is historically low. The prolonged precipitation deficit is an important underlying driver of the low streamflows, declining lake levels and groundwater stress now being observed throughout the basin,” the report said.
The report said streamflows generally increased through September as rain contributed to streamflow, but most streams continue to have below-normal flows for this time of year.
“Many monitored streams transitioned from near- or above-normal conditions earlier in the year to below-normal flows during late spring, with flows remaining depressed through July and August. By late summer, numerous natural streams were within the lowest historical percentile ranges, while many regulated reaches were also substantially below normal.” the report said.
“The persistence and geographic extent of these low flows are particularly important because they reduce available aquatic habitat, increase sensitivity to elevated water temperatures, and narrow the margin available to balance environmental flow needs with domestic and agricultural water demands.”
https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/636090/Okanagan-still-in-severe-drought-condition
