[REVISION HISTORY]

Okanagan Lake water level decline

1 recorded revision of this situation.

What changed

2026-11-07 23:43 UTC → 2026-11-09 22:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Okanagan Lake has reached record low levels for this time of year, dropping 1,147 millimetres below full pool as of November 1. The Okanagan Basin Water Board reports that current levels are consistently lower than the 1994 to 2025 averages, potentially leading to a fifth consecutive drought year for the Okanagan Valley. In the North Okanagan, Kalamalka Lake has reached historically low levels, approximately 1.5 metres below seasonal norms. This has resulted in a dead pool at the outlet, meaning water no longer enters Vernon Creek for the first time on record. To address scarcity, the Regional District of North Okanagan has maintained stage three water restrictions in Greater Vernon. Mitigation efforts include utilizing the Antwerp Deep Well in Lavington and redirecting reclaimed water to support agricultural users in the Bella Vista area. ~~Officials have expressed concern regarding future shortages, citing recent dry and hot conditions and~~ By November 7, 2026, the ~~anticipation~~ region remains in its fifth consecutive year of drought. In Summerland, the municipality is under Drought Level 3, which requires a 20 per cent reduction in water for irrigators. While reservoir levels are slightly higher than in 2025, officials note that low snowpack measurements from earlier in the year make spring supplies unpredictable. Concerns persist regarding a projected super El Niño event ~~that could persist into 2027.~~ in 2027, which may exacerbate dry conditions.

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