Drought conditions persist approaching end of October

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“Okanagan and Kalamalka Lakes remain at record low water levels, while Nicola Lake remains well below typical levels for this time of year.

Drought Level 3

Drought conditions persist approaching end of October

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“Groundwater levels remain at record lows or are lower levels than this time last year in many areas.”

The agency added low streamflows in the Salmon River and Bessette Creek continued to pose a risk to incoming Coho salmon, as higher water levels were needed to support migration and spawning. Meanwhile, stream-spawning Kokanee have past their peak but remain active in the Okanagan mainstream, and Sockeye returns have been increasing and while spawning had not peaked the fish had been observed in the Okanagan.

The report comes as Vernon had only seen 0.,6 millimetres of rainfall over the previous seven days, and had recorded just 13.9 millimetres of precipitations during the month of October.

In Kelowna,. there had been no rainfall over the previous seven days and just 2.9 millimetres of rain to-date this October.