The international organization overseeing the management of Osoyoos Lake levels has declared drought conditions for the lake which means water levels will be raised in a bid to capture as much spring runoff as possible for what is expected to be a long hot dry summer ahead.
The historical low level of Osoyoos Lake won’t see the normal April 1 boost after the announcement today by the International Joint Commission (IJC), which granted a temporary operational variance allowing for lower levels than seasonal norms would enable.
Osoyoos Lake levels , which remained “very low” for much of the 2024-2025 winter due to low precipitation in the Okanagan basin, are now being deliberately raised in preparation for summer according to the International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control (IOLBC).
The Town of Osoyoos has announced that the main boat launch ramp at Desert Sunrise Marina has re-opened, just in time for the July 1 long weekend.
To mitigate the impacts of persisting drought conditions, lake operators will likely hold the Osoyoos Lake level close to the Condition 8 maximum allowable level of 278.13 metres (912.5 feet) for as long as possible, the International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control said today.
Water levels in Osoyoos Lake and further upstream at Okanagan Lake are being kept at higher than normal levels for this time of the year due to low snowpack levels which may contribute to drought conditions this summer.
It’s nearly impossible to imagine the force of a river changing its direction in any capacity, but...
