(file photo/Vernon Matters)

By Pete McIntyre

Spring update

Greater Vernon’s water supply is ‘normal’

Apr 27, 2023 | 4:00 PM

Greater Vernon’s water supply is in good shape heading into the warmer weather.

Staff at Greater Vernon Water describe the supply conditions as normal for this time of year.

“This comes after above-average water storage in March and slightly higher than normal levels in GVW reservoirs and Kalamalka Lake since the start of the year,” Ashley Gregerson, communications officer, said.

“In addition, the snow pack in the Duteau watershed is 109 per cent to 132 per cent above average, depending on location, which is a favourable indicator for water supply.”

The staff uses the Water Shortage Management Plan (WSMP) to guide water management decisions. Four triggers are monitored to assess water supply and drought conditions, including reservoir levels, current moisture conditions, forecasted weather conditions and customer demand forecast.

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“As of April 2, Duteau reservoir levels are trending slightly below average, but this is due to the later snow melt (freshet) which has not started yet,” Gregerson stated.

Kalamalka Lake is above the provincial management target and the ten-year average.

(Image credit: RDNO/GVW)

According to the provincial forecast, this spring is expected to be cool with average to high amounts of precipitation.

Customer demand is currently low due to the cool weather, but irrigation turn-ons [agriculture] started on April 15, and demand is expected to increase in the coming weeks.

“GVW encourages customers to continue to conserve water despite the good water supply conditions, as it is important to maintain sustainable water use practices in the long term,” Gregerson added.

For more information on the WSMP and the Greater Vernon water system, visit www.rdno.ca/gvw.