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File photo of drought conditions at Kalamalka Provincial Park. (Image Credit: ID 59301229 © Katyenka | Dreamstime.com)
By Liam Verster
Drought Rating

Okanagan at Drought Level 5 already  

May 28, 2026 | 11:16 AM

The Okanagan opened the drought reporting season with the highest rating possible.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre released its first report on drought conditions in the province Thursday, May 28, in which the Okanagan was given a rating of Level 5.

The local basin was the only one in B.C. to receive the highest drought level rating possible.

The River Forecast Centre said in a report that some cooler weather had the potential to bring moderate to heavy rainfall to southern B.C. in the coming weeks, though also warned that drought hazards remained high due to low snowpack and early snowmelt.

Elsewhere in the region, the Nicola and Kettle River basins were rated at Level 4; the South Thompson, Slocan-Lower Columbia and Lower Thompson basis were at Level 3; and Similkameen was at Level 2.

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The darker shades indicate a higher drought rating level
The darker shades indicate a higher drought rating level (Image Credit: B.C. River Forecast Centre)

The BC River Forecast Centre launched its new Water Scarcity Level pilot Thursday. However, only the Coldwater River, Upper Nicola River and Lower Nicola River were reported, all of which were given a Water Scarcity Level rating of Moderate. The province recommends people in those areas voluntarily reduce their water use where possible.

by Liam Verster
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