Drought conditions at Kalamalka Park (ID 59301229 © Katyenka | Dreamstime.com)

By Liam Verster

Drought Level 2

Okanagan drought conditions have improved on a weekly basis

Sep 5, 2024 | 2:39 PM

The Okanagan is no longer at Drought Level 3.

The Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship said the region was ranked at Drought Level 2 as of Thursday, Sept. 4.

That marked a change from the higher ranking, which the Okanagan held for the previous six weeks.

Under Drought Level 2, conditions are unlikely to cause any adverse impacts to socio-economic or ecosystem values, though people are still advised to follow all local water restrictions.

The drought rating changed despite there being no precipitation recorded in Vernon or Kelowna over the previous seven days, and only 1.3 millimetres of rainfall in Penticton during that time.

Highway 97 Pedestrian Collision

Person struck by vehicle in Kelowna did not succumb to injuries

Sep 13, 2024

Provincial Election

Former mayor of Enderby to run as an Independent this October

Sep 13, 2024

Second-Degree Murder

Trial date for accused in Lumby murder case still not set

Sep 13, 2024

The Lower, South and North Thompson areas also saw their drought ratings decline to Level 2 Thursday, while the Similakameen region was at Level 2 for a second straight week.

The Nicola area was at Level 4, the second highest drought rating for the fourth consecutive week. The other regions in B.C. at that rating Thursday were East and West Vancouver Island, Finlay, Skeena-Nass, and the South and North Peace.

Four regions were ranked at Level 5, the highest possible drought rating, as of Thursday. Those were the Fort Nelson, East Peace, Burkley-Lakes, and Upper Fraser West areas.

Three regions were also ranked at Drought Level 0 Thursday, which is the lowest possible drought rating. Those areas were East Kootenay, Upper Columbia, and the Northwest.