OBWB urges water conservation with severe drought rating

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The agency added the region’s snowpack was nearly depleted, as it was recorded at 16 per cent of normal as of May 15, and that raises the concerns about water scarcity as freshet is a major source of the valley’s water supply. That fact, coupled with below normal precipitation over the spring, raises concerns about conditions heading into the summer.

Drought Level 5

OBWB urges water conservation with severe drought rating

15h ago

Community Services Funding

Civil forfeiture money going to support programs and services in Vernon, Okanagan

19h ago

Drought Rating

Okanagan at Drought Level 5 already

20h ago

“As of May 25, 2026, Vernon is only at 56 per cent of expected precipitation, Kelowna is at 47 per cent, and Penticton is at 21 per cent,” the OBWB claimed.

The weather forecast did call for some rainfall over southern B.C. in the coming days, and while the OBWB welcomed the precipitation it did state that “a significant and sustained period of wet weather would be needed to improve conditions this season, and even more to make up for several years of accumulated drought.”

As of Thursday, Greater Vernon had Stage 2 Water Restrictions in place, Lake Country was at a Modified Stage 2, and Kelowna was in Stage 1.