File photo of Okanagan Lake by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters

By Liam Verster

Year End Review

OBWB reflects on supporting projects and work, advocacy to protect water in 2025

Dec 31, 2025 | 1:33 PM

The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) says 2025 was a pivotal year for intensifying response to threats to the watershed, and doubling down on scientific and technological solutions for water security.

In it’s final release for the year, the organization said this past year saw a lot of support going towards new technologies, including launching the Environmental Flow Shiny App in May in collaboration with Okanagan Nation Alliance, Foresight Canada, and regional partners, to provide real-time information about stream water levels; and committing funding towards a UBC Okanagan-led presearch project to detect invasive mussels, though that support was also the subject of federal funding.

The OBWB also touted its work as an advocate for water protection. In 2025, the group joined local governments and the Union of B.C. Municipalities in raising concern about a private members bill that it said could dismantle safeguards protecting B.C.’s watersheds and public drinking water supplies; supported legislation that included changes to the Wildlife Act that aligned with the groups efforts to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive mussles; had a call to action in opposition of the use of chemicals in Okanagan lakes; issued letters to both the provincial and federal government calling on increased supports to prevent the spread of invasive mussels into B.C.; and supported water security projects with a combined $350,000 through the annual Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant program.

The OBWB also kicked off a new Make Water Work, Plant FireSmart community initiative in May of 2025, a contest which Osoyoos won with the most pledges of any Okanagan community.

Though the organization said it did a lot this past year, it also noted that 2025 came with some challenges. The Okanagan had a very dry spring and summer, followed by a record-breaking heatwave in September that left streamflows very low, which the OBWB said led to the region receiving “an unprecedented Drought Level 4 [rating], a rare and severe designation” in October. The agency said the Okanagan was still classified as being in a drought entering December, but noted that too much rain or precipitation all at once may not be beneficial, as it could lead to flooding due to the extreme dryness and compaction of the soil in the region.

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Looking ahead to 2026, the OBWB said it would continue its work to advocate for the local watershed and for measures to protect all waterways in B.C., would be developing a new Strategic Plan, and would be celebrating it’s 20th year of the Water Management and Water Conservation and Quality Grant program.