Fall precipitation needed as Okanagan’s drought conditions worsen

The falling temperatures have not been enough to impact the drought conditions in the Okanagan.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the Okanagan was at Drought Level 4 Thursday, Oct. 9. That rating, which is the second highest on the severity scale, was up from Level 3 the week before.

The River Forecast Centre said in its weekly report that the Southern Interior, as well as the East Peace region, remained “extremely dry.” It also noted there were “persistent low streamflow in Similkameen, Okanagan and southeast basins,” which the agency said was increasing the concerns about fish passage in several interior systems including Salmon River and Bessette Creek.

The worsening drought conditions came as there was very little rainfall in the Okanagan over the previous week. During the seven days between reports, Vernon recorded a total of just 1.8 millimeters of precipitation, while Kelowna had just 0.4 mm.