Stock photo of the Duteau Watershed courtesy of the RDNO

By Liam Verster

Water Supply Update

Reservoir levels at or below average: RDNO report

May 7, 2025 | 11:35 AM

Early predictions show it will be a dry summer in the North Okanagan.

A report to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee (GVAC) said the Duteau Reservoir was within the freshet monitoring period and the environmental flow needs were being met with low melt occurring and being used to fill Goose Lake.

However, Kalamalka Lake levels were below average and the provincial targets.

The report stated weather and timing of the end of the freshet would be pivotal to determine the impacts on the reservoirs, adding trends were also showing some potential recovery due to recent precipitation, which helped keep agricultural demands low.

However, the most recent snow survey report stated the Okanagan’s snowpack in April was 82 per cent of normal, and forecasts indicate below-average precipitation in May and June, which could put strains on the reservoirs.

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The report stated June would be a critical month, as it usually “marks the peak of yearly water storage and will determine the drought stage outlook for the high-demand months that follow.”

The report will be presented to GVAC Wednesday, May 7.