Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

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.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

Okanagan Basin Water Board

Canada Day boaters urged to be diligent about preventing spread of invasive mussels

Canada Day boaters urged to be diligent about preventing spread of invasive mussels

Summer has arrived in the Southern Interior, and those who look after our water are trying to keep unwanted guests out of the region. As tourists and locals alike head to area lakes, the Okanagan Basin Water Board and Okanagan-Similkameen Invasive Species Society remind boaters to clean, drain and dry their watercraft before putting them in local lakes. Anyone bringing any type of watercraft into the province, including kayaks and paddleboards, is reminded to stop at all mussel inspection stations along the way. For 11 years, the Don’t Move a Mussel campaign has been raising awareness of the potential impacts of invasive zebra and quagga mussels. To date, there have been no reported introductions of live zebra or quagga mussels into B.C. lakes. But, once introduced to a water body, invasive mussels can rapidly multiply and form dense colonies, leading to significant ecological and economic consequences.

Water briefs: Okanagan water board buys $700,000 milfoil harvester

Water briefs: Okanagan water board buys $700,000 milfoil harvester

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.

Okanagan residents encouraged to conserve water

Okanagan residents encouraged to conserve water

The Okanagan is one of Canada’s most water-stressed regions and local organizations are hoping to take steps to conserve water in communities, which in turn allows for crops, wildlife and more to thrive across the valley. With temperatures rising and summer approaching quickly, residents are being reminded to think about one of the most important resources: water. “It’s incumbent on us to protect our water source and the biggest pillar in that is conservation and this is an effort to take those necessary steps to conservation,” said Blair Ireland, mayor of Lake Country.

Increased water demand coming from climate change

Increased water demand coming from climate change

The Okanagan can expect more spring floods, but also longer and drier summers in the future. That’s thanks to climate change, says James Littley, deputy administrator with the Okanagan Basin Water Board. “According to the 2020 report, climate projections for the Okanagan region, we will see warmer temperatures here,” Littley told delegates to the Southern Interior Local Government Association convention in Vernon on Tuesday.

Okanagan water board taking grant applications

Okanagan water board taking grant applications

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.

Valley water use challenges loom

Valley water use challenges loom

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.

UBCO engineers dive into local flood recovery, prevention

UBCO engineers dive into local flood recovery, prevention

While infrastructure clean-up and repairs continue across the province after the extreme weather events of 2021, UBC Okanagan researchers have created measures to help municipalities mitigate damage from future climate-related disasters. “Communities across British Columbia have established strong policies and strategies to prepare and limit damage due to these extreme events, but policies related to post-disaster management are still in their infancy,” says Sadia Ishaq, a doctoral candidate in UBCO’s School of Engineering and lead author of a new paper that examines municipal risk management strategies.

Cross-border waterway forum returns to Osoyoos, B.C.

Cross-border waterway forum returns to Osoyoos, B.C.

Residents who live near Osoyoos Lake, on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border, are in Osoyoos this week to discuss the health of the international waterway that connects them. The water science forum made its return to the Okanagan Valley for the first time since 2015 – the event was to be held a couple of years ago but was put on hold due to the COVID pandemic.

Okanagan Water Board bracing for the effects of climate change

Okanagan Water Board bracing for the effects of climate change

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.

Okanagan water board advocates millions for water management

Okanagan water board advocates millions for water management

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;

Okanagan residents encouraged to get the most out of their water use

Okanagan residents encouraged to get the most out of their water use

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.

Water briefs: Osoyoos mayor to head up Okanagan Basin Water Board

Water briefs: Osoyoos mayor to head up Okanagan Basin Water Board

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.

Salty level of Okanagan Lake water intensifies

Salty level of Okanagan Lake water intensifies

Okanagan Lake is not going to turn into an ocean-like salty body of water anytime soon. But recent chloride measurements at various points along the lake taken by the Ministry of Environment do indicate an upward trend. And while the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OKWB) has no imminent concerns about the current threat the lake water getting saltier poses on aquatic life or drinking water, it remains on its monitoring radar.

Projects enhance Okanagan Valley water protection

Projects enhance Okanagan Valley water protection

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.

Okanagan water grants used to respond to climate change

Okanagan water grants used to respond to climate change

The Okanagan Basin Water Board has approved more than $318,000 in funding to 17 projects that will help conserve and protect water in the valley while addressing the larger issues of climate change. Directors approved the Water Conservation and Quality Improvement grants at their last board meeting, April 2. Recipients have now been notified. In total, there were 31 applications with a total ask of $688,281.

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