Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
The threat of invasive mussels has led the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) to propose a potential temporary ban on all out-of-province boats entering B.C.'s waterways. James Littley, deputy administrator for the OBWB, said two species of freshwater mussels — zebra and quagga mussels — could be catastrophic to lake and river systems if stringent measures aren't put in place to keep them out of the province.
The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) has approved a $700,000 expenditure for a new milfoil harvester. Following an RFP process, the milfoil contract was awarded to Berky GMBH of Germany. The new machine is expected to be delivered in June 2024. The new equipment will be able to remove invasive milfoil 1.5 metres deeper than the current machines and hold 5.5 cubic metres compared to the current 2-3 cubic metres.
The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is accepting applications for its 2023 Water Conservation and Quality Improvement (WCQI) grant program. With a funding pool of $350,000, eligible applicants, including local governments and First Nations, irrigation districts and non-profit organizations, can receive grants ranging from $3,000 to $30,000 for water projects within the Okanagan Basin.
Water, water, everywhere. That may be the case elsewhere but the Okanagan Valley has always had its water challenges. The drier, southern part of the region sees an average of 250 mm of precipitation per year, while the northern part and higher elevations see an average of 400 mm per year. Kelowna Airport, for example, receives 298 mm of which 102 mm (34 per cent) falls as snow.
Climate change is here, but are we ready to adapt to the impact of changing and more extreme weather events? That is the question politicians continue to grapple with, but for the Okanagan Basin Water Board debating the realities of climate change is no longer an issue, but rather how will Okanagan Valley communities be prepared and respond to intense weather events.
The Okanagan Basin Water Board is asking the province to invest millions in three water stewardship projects for the 2023-24 budget. And Anna Warwick Sears, executive director of the OBWB, says to not make that investment now will only cost millions of dollars more in the future. Warwick Sears recently presented a submission to the BC Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services for Budget 2023 calling for: Funding for a review of the Okanagan Lake regulation system and operating plan at a cost of $1 million annually for the next four years;
The May long weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, which means it’s a good time for Okanagan residents to start thinking about their water use. The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is encouraging residents to take the ‘Make Water Work’ pledge. Okanagan mayors have been promoting the annual campaign on social media with tips for getting the most out of your water.
The mayor of Osoyoos will serve a fourth term as chair of the Okanagan Basin Water Board. Sue McKortoff was acclaimed by her fellow board members at the OBWB board meeting Tuesday (Feb. 1). Also returning for another term is vice-chair Cindy Fortin, the mayor of Peachland. McKortoff has called the OBWB a “one of a kind” water management advisory board in Canada, citing its progressive initiatives for addressing climate change weather impacts, pushing for better invasive mussels policies to protect regional waterways and to enhance and promote local water use education programs.
The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) marked the 15th year of its water conservation and quality improvement (WCQI) grants this week with the awarding of funds to projects throughout the valley that will enhance water security. Since the program began in 2006, and with this week’s award of 16 grants worth $350,000, the board has now provided 300 grants to Okanagan non-profits, First Nations, local governments and irrigation districts adding up to an overall value of $5.1 million.
