The International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control has declared 2009 a drought year for Osoyoos Lake.
The announcement is based on forecasts of lower-than-normal inflow to the lake from the spring run-off, which is caused by lower-than-normal snow packs recorded in the region.
In a “normal” year, water levels in the lake can be expected to range between 277.67 metres and 277.82 metres, said Daniel Millar, who works with the board of control on the Canadian side of the border.
He said the lake has a greater range of depth-variance in a drought year because the natural inflow is less than normal.
Since Osoyoos Lake is a controlled body of water, more water will be let into it in a drought year in order to compensate for the low runoff levels.
Millar said the lake can range in depth between 277.52 metres and 578.28 metres in a drought year.
Mark McKenney, president of the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society, said the drought declaration should only serve to remind people to focus on water conservation.
He said the snow packs and runoffs aren’t the only things affected by lower-than-normal water quantity.
McKenney said groundwater could also be affected by the drought conditions.
He also said the society isn’t concerned about the extra water in the lake affecting water quality, although there is a possibility of increased turbidity.
Turbidity is cloudiness in the water caused by suspended particles.
The board of control is an internationally run board and Osoyoos Lake is in its jurisdiction because the lake crosses the Canada-U.S. border.
By Karen Knelsen
Osoyoos Times
