“April showers bring May flowers,” the proverb goes, but with mountain snowpack and valley precipitation both far below normal levels the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is cautioning that this summer is looking to be one of drought conditions for the valley.
The Province’s latest snow and water supply data indicates that average mountain snowpack is near normal levels, and higher than last year, but warns the number masks significant regional differences such as the Okanagan at 58 per cent of normal is the lowest in recorded history.
The Okanagan region has been moved to a Level 2 “Very Dry” drought rating as a result of the lingering effects from the 2023 drought, low winter snowpack, low precipitation, and warmer than normal temperatures causing an early freshet.
The first wildfire of the season in the South Okanagan occurred over the weekend with a 4.37 hectare wildfire at Dutton Creek, about 1.5 km east of the southern end of Vaseux Lake. BC Wildfire Service has listed the fire as “Being Held,” meaning it’s not likely to spread beyond predetermined boundaries.
The province is preparing, earlier than ever, for what could be a challenging wildfire season with above-average fall and winter temperatures predicted to continue, leading to persistent drought and a lack of snowpack accumulation.
