Vernon seen from The Rise on April 1, 2026. (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Water Supply, Drought Concerns

Okanagan snowpack falls to 58 per cent of normal

Apr 9, 2026 | 11:23 AM

Okanagan’s snow pack saw another significant decline heading into the warmer spring months.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the regional snowpack was 58 per cent of normal as of April 1.

The agency said this low level led to four snow stations in the Okanagan measuring all-time low snow water equivalent (SWE) levels

Isintok Lake – 44mm SWE (31 per cent of normal), 61 year low
Oyama Lake – 46mm SWE (28 per cent of normal), 54 year low
Brenda Mine – 71mm SWE (21 per cent of normal), 30 year low
Greyback Reservoir – 133mm SWE, nine year low

The River Forecast Centre did note that Vernon had wetter-than-normal conditions in March, but that was offset by drier and usual conditions elsewhere in the Okanagan.

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With these conditions being identified, the agency said the Okanagan could face some concerns over the coming months.

“Below normal runoff is forecast for several southern Interior systems, including Okanagan Lake (38-51%), Kalamalka-Wood Lake (20- 45%), Nicola Lake (41-62%), and Nicola River (54-58%), reflecting well below normal snowpack and antecedent conditions,” the River Forecast Centre’s report stated.

“These basins are expected to have reduced seasonal water supply and increased susceptibility to drought conditions through the spring and summer.”

The agency added that regions like the Okanagan with low snowpack would be more susceptible to drought and water supply challenges in the summer, especially is warm and dry weather persist through the remainder of the spring.

Though the Okanagan’s snowpack was at nearly half of normal, the provincial snowpack was recorded at 92 per cent of normal on April 1. That was led by higher than average snowpacks in multiple parts of the province including Nechako (136), Peace (136), Northwest (123), and Upper Fraser East (121).

by Liam Verster

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