Drought 2015
Warm fall, mild winter in long-range forecast
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Look for a hotter, drier fall across the Southern Interior if AccuWeather’s long-range fall forecast holds true. Issued by AccuWeather’s global weather centre, the forecast says a stubborn high pressure system anchored over the West coast and abnormally warm water over the north-eastern Pacific have kept the weather warm and dry. This is...
Penticton water users appear unfazed by level four drought conditions
PENTICTON - Recent escalation by the province to a level four drought rating for the Okanagan Valley and the City of Penticton appears to be having little effect on water use in the city. “We’re not meeting our targets,” communications officer Simone Blais says, referring to a July 17 request from the city asking residents...
Bark beetles could threaten drought-stressed B.C. timber
KAMLOOPS – A B.C. government entomologist in Kamloops says the current drought across most of the southern half of the province is stressing timber across the Interior.
North Thompson hits level four drought rating
NORTH THOMPSON – As drought conditions persist and stream flows decrease around the province, the North Thompson region has joined the ranks of many others at a level four drought rating. Conditions in the region are still extremely dry even after the past weekend’s rainfall. Further declines in stream, lake and aquifer levels could lead...
Water managers preparing for longer-term Okanagan drought
KELOWNA - While they are still in the midst of dealing with this year’s widespread drought in the southern B.C. the province’s top water managers are already looking ahead to next year. “Current weather patterns is for a strong El Nino blob off the coast. It is setting up the scenario for a drier than...
You’re not the only one not feeling frisky in this heat
HEAT KILLING CATTLE (SEX) DRIVE THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Beef is meeting supply needs so far this year, but it hasn’t been easy for ranchers as they deal with drought and extreme conditions that leave cattle not wanting to mate. Kevin Boon, general manager of the B.C. Cattleman’s Association, says the hardest hit areas in the province’s...
Why you’ll want to reserve your Okanagan red wines this year
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - All through the Okanagan region, winemakers are getting excited about prospects for this year’s grape crop. Hot, sunny days that have been relatively constant since early June have brought this year’s vintage along at blazing speed, and Okanagan winemakers believe the conditions are right for one of the best vintages ever. “It’s definitely...
West Kelowna steps up water use regulations
WEST KELOWNA - Due to continuing hot, dry weather, the City of West Kelowna has moved to stage two watering regulations. Residents are advised that, effective immediately, outdoor watering is prohibited between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and is only permitted two days per week, as follows: - Even numbered addresses water on Tuesdays and...
Water meters help keep lid on consumption in Kelowna
KELOWNA - As the province deals with the one of the most widespread droughts on record, municipalities and other water providers are increasingly looking for ways to alter consumption patterns amongst their users. While staged watering restrictions can force short term changes in use, the gold standard for long term change is the water meter,...
Green bags helping Kamloops trees ward off drought
KAMLOOPS – Those strange green bags you’ve seen around city trees are a clever system of irrigation that uses less water, requires less time to maintain and is environmentally sustainable. While the city has used these water bags for a number of years, they have been placed in higher visibility areas this year. “We are...
Armstrong moves to elevated watering restrictions
ARMSTRONG - Armstrong residents are being told to cut back on water use. The city has implemented stage two water restrictions, which means residents can’t use sprinklers or irrigation systems to water lawns, gardens trees or shrubs. Washing driveways, sidewalks, parking lots or exterior building surfaces is also banned, according to a notice on the...
Drought levels worsen in Okanagan and North Thompson
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Drought conditions are worsening in the region, enough according to the government to increase the drought rating for both the Okanagan and North Thompson regions by one level. The Okanagan Region is now enduring level four drought conditions while the North Thompson is facing level three, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources....
Province pulls plug on Coldwater River water use
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - In a bid to help struggling salmon populations, water use reduction measures have been imposed on the Coldwater River. The province issued the restriction today, July 31, banning all water use or diversion from the Coldwater River and its tributaries from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. effective immediately. The restriction escalates to a...
Heat wave could force water restrictions in Summerland
SUMMERLAND – If the heat wave resumes the Summerland Treatment Plant could be forced to issue measures to reduce water use in the area. Due to increased demands the Summerland Water Treatment Plant has been operating at maximum capacity the last week, according to a media release issued today, June 29. If the demand rises...
South Okanagan governments make a plea for voluntary cuts in water consumption
PENTICTON - There are concerns about water supply as the summer’s hot weather combines with minimal rainfall in the South Okanagan. The Okanagan Similkameen Regional District recently followed the City of Penticton’s move, made last week, to ask residents to voluntarily reduce water consumption by 30 per cent. The regional district was responding to the...