Last year Osoyoos Lake hit 916.19 feet above sea level in mid-May. This year officials are predicting a drought. (File photo)

By Vanessa Broadbent

Osoyoos Times

Osoyoos Lake may seem a little higher than it normally does this time of year, but that doesn’t point to potential flooding. In fact, it’s a deliberate move to combat a potential drought.

Normally the lake hits its summer operational level of 912 feet (above sea level) by the beginning of June, but the Washington Department of Ecology, which operates the Zosel Dam near Oroville, is raising it one month early by closing some of the dam’s gates.

The International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control mandates the lake’s levels, addressing water issues for residents on both sides of the border. Osoyoos mayor Sue McKortoff sits on the board.

“They’re trying to let some water out of Okanagan Lake and bring Osoyoos Lake up to what we would call the normal for the summer,” she said.

Raising the lake level early is intended to prevent water shortages and low flows later in the spring.

Snowpack levels in the region are being reported at lower than normal, with the Okanagan basin at 81 per cent of normal and the Similkameen basin at 68 per cent.

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During spring runoff, the level of Osoyoos Lake could rise as high as 915 feet, Al Josephy of the Washington Department of Ecology’s Water Resources
Program said.

“This phenomenon is driven by snowpack and temperatures, and cannot be controlled by Zosel Dam,” said Jospehy. “Although the very high levels are rare, we’re reminding lake residents that it can cause inconvenience and occasional flooding to property owners along the lake and down to the site of the dam itself.”

According to the United States Drought Monitor, as of March 28 most of the Okanagan County is at a moderate drought level. At this time last year, there was no drought risk in the county.

However, that doesn’t mean Osoyoos residents should assume flooding won’t happen this year, although it isn’t likely, McKortoff said.

“Two years ago we assumed we were in for a drought year because the lake level was down the snow pillows were down for a little bit, then all of the sudden we had rain, torrential rains, and it just totally wiped that out and we had a flood.”

It also doesn’t mean people need to worry, though. Instead, they should just be prepared, McKortoff said.

“At any time, you should be ready if you’re in a flood plain.”