Okanagan still dry as drought rating declines

The Okanagan’s drought level has come down, but conditions do still pose a risk heading into the summer.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the Okanagan had a drought rating of Level 3 Thursday, June 11. That was an improvement from the Level 4 rating on June 4, and from the Level 5 rating May 28.

Though improved, the agency warned that Level 3 still indicated very dry conditions with a risk of severe drought as temperatures rise and spring precipitation tapers off.

The River Forecast Centre was also tracking water scarcity levels as part of a pilot project for this drought season. It had recorded moderate water scarcity levels at the Lower Nicola River, Upper Nicola River and Coldwater River, but had not put out any warnings for the Okanagan as of the latest report.