VERNON – Even as sprinklers whir to life in a local park, Greater Vernon Water is closely monitoring factors that could influence water supply levels over the next year. Conditions are already unusual in some ways.
The same early melt conditions that have been filling up Greater Vernon Water’s Duteau Creek Reservoirs are also being blamed for unusual snow pack measurements. Two monitoring stations in the area reported no snow on April 1. At a third monitoring station the water content levels were at 77 per cent of average levels.
“We were surprised to see that in April. Normally we still have snow and that snow helps slowly melt and feed our reservoirs through June,” says Miles.
The regional district is hoping for precipitation in June to replenish water supplies. It is not alone, orchardist Jeet Dukhia is also praying for rain. He knows water is key for his industry and a wet June will mean orchardists are irrigating less.
“All the orchardists are pretty cautious and they use the water system pretty wisely,” says Dukhia. “They know it is their lifeline.”
The summer weather conditions will also impact consumption. Even if June is dry in the North Okanagan, it doesn’t necessarily mean water will be scarce.
“It all depends on our demand,” says Miles. “If we have a really hot dry summer, that will eat into our storage. Couple that with low rains in June then we would certainly be looking at a shortage situation.”
Environment Canada is expecting above normal temperatures over the next three months but precipitation is very difficult to predict. However, right now the expectation is the area will get a normal amount of precipitation.
Meanwhile, the regional district is encouraging everyone to use water wisely.
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