Low water levels at Vernon Creek through Hidden Park (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Drought Conditions

Okanagan’s drought rating on the rise

Jun 12, 2025 | 11:27 AM

The Okanagan basin’s drought conditions have worsened.

After three weeks at Level 1, the B.C. River Forecast Centre increased the Okanagan’s drought rating to Level 2 Thursday, June 12.

The Okanagan was one of 14 basins in B.C. rated at Level 2. Those included the Similkameen and Nicola areas.

Meanwhile, the Bridge, South Thompson, and North Thompson drought ratings rose to Level 1 Thursday, while the Lower Thompson’s rating rose to Level 3.

“Drought conditions have intensified across much of the province following sustained hot and dry weather,” the River Forecast Centre said in a report, adding much of the province, including the Interior, had seen streamflow declines.

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“Flows in some Okanagan, Lower Thompson and Vancouver Island tributaries have dropped to levels that can pose a risk to aquatic ecosystems”

The provincial agency added that there were light, scattered showers forecasted for the southern parts of the province in the following week, though with snowmelt runoff declining, further drought severity will depend on summer weather.