The provincial government has raised the Okanagan to Drought Level 4. This is the second-highest of the province’s six drought levels.
The change comes after months of warm temperatures and below-normal precipitation levels.
During September, there were multiple days warmer than 30 C, along with record-low rainfall levels.
“While many residents and farmers have stopped watering, critically low river and creek levels continue to create significant challenges for fish migration and local aquatic ecosystems,” the Okanagan Basin Water Board said in a statement.
“Every drop we save right now directly supports our most vulnerable fish and aquatic life.”
The water board says raising the drought level this late in the year is unprecedented. Seven weeks ago, the area was at Drought Level 0, the lowest of the drought ratings.
In 2023, the Okanagan was at Level 4 in October, but that was a reduction from Level 5 earlier in the year.
While seasonal forecasts suggest wetter conditions in the fall, water resources are challenged.
In addition, the Similkameen and part of the Kootenays are also at Drought Level 4.
Many streamflow stations on the Similkameen River continue to record their lowest values ever for this time of the year.
Numerous communities in the Okanagan have watering restrictions in place.