BX Creek flowing near the Curling Club parking lot (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Monitoring Water

Vernon wants hydrometric gauges along BX Creek

May 28, 2026 | 6:00 AM

Vernon may be getting some new equipment to monitor conditions at a local stream soon.

At the meeting Monday, May 25, Vernon City Council tasked staff with entering into agreements with Environment and Climate Change Canada for the installation and operation of hydrometric gauges along BX Creek.

The gauges would be set up along the waterway in the section by the Vernon Curling Club, Recreation Centre and Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre; at the sediment pond at BX Dog Park; and along the creek near the Vernon Water Reclamation Centre.

Mayor Victor Cumming said these gauges would provide some good insight on the creek’s condition.

“[The gauges ] measure the water flowing by, and also measures the temperature of the water flowing by, because aquatic species need certain kind of temperatures and a certain amount of flow, particularly fish. So we want to continue to do things to make sure we’ve got the right environmental flow, enough water in the creeks,” Cumming explained.

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“It also tells us information on flood levels, so we’ll get to know a history of these rapid rainfalls and quick washing out in our creeks, et cetera .”

A hydrometric gauge is already in use to collect data from Kalamalka Lake, and these new ones would provide information as to the flows into Swan Lake and from there onward.

The mayor noted this information would be especially useful in gathering information on the creek’s conditions and if it could aide with the ongoing efforts to support local salmon populations.

If an agreement is reached, the city will provide Environment Canada with approximately $24,000 annually for two of the gauges, which had already been contemplated through the 2025 Storm Maintenance program and the 2026 Flow Monitoring program. Costs for the third gauge would be covered by the Okanagan Basin Water Board.

“Having the quality data [from the gauges ], mixed with our own data, will enhance our ability to do planning in the city,” Mayor Cumming stated.

by Liam Verster

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