The Zosel Dam in Oroville, WA helps to maintain the level of Osoyoos Lake. Water is now being raised at the dam to store more water in Osoyoos Lake to cope with the drought in coming months. (Richard McGuire file photo)
The Okanagan basin was upgraded last week to Level 4 drought status as the situation worsens across the entire south of the province.
Level 4, “extremely high,” is the highest drought rating.
Last Wednesday the province added the Okanagan to the list of regions at Level 4, which extend from Vancouver Island to the Kettle Valley and South Thompson.
Two days later, the province announced a Level 3 rating for the Kootenay Columbia area in the province’s southeast.
The South Thompson, Similkameen, Kettle and Skagit areas were raised to Level 4 on July 27.
The establishment of a Level 4 drought advisory tells regional water managers that they may take additional regulatory actions if necessary. These site-specific actions based on stream conditions can include temporary suspension of water licenses or short-term water approvals.
All water users, including residential, are encouraged to observe local water conservation bylaws to prolong supplies and maintain flows for fish and ecosystems.
Osoyoos has had water rationing in effect since June with residents limited to twice-weekly lawn watering and with other uses such as washing of cars, buildings and pavement with a hose prohibited in most cases.
An angling suspension on Okanagan River main stem went into effect on Thursday and will remain in effect until Sept. 30.
Lake fishing is not affected by the order and other at-risk streams in the affected management units have been closed since July 15.
Meanwhile, despite a few drops of rain on the weekend, the fire danger rating around Osoyoos is at “high” with a pocket rated at “extreme” to the east around Rock Creek.
The only current wildfire near Osoyoos is a small lightning-caused fire in a remote area between Penticton and Carmi, which was discovered on Saturday, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
