The Province has just increased the drought level for the Okanagan River Basin to a Level 2 (very dry) and the Kettle River Basin to a level 5 (exceptionally dry). Within the Kettle Basin the two more southern sub-basins (Middle Kettle and Lower Kettle) have increased to a level 4, with the west and northern sub-basins at a level 5. BC Drought Information Portal

With the anticipation of rain continuing this week, the hope is that there will be enough precipitation to bring our stream water levels back to a normal level for this time of year.

If you have any comments, observations and/or concerns in your region that you would like the RDKB to pass on to the Province in support of their reviews, please email them to: [email protected].

With this changing climate, we need to prepare now as it is likely we will start seeing these dry conditions more often. The RDKB is encouraging people to think about how they can reduce their water needs and strengthen their private distribution system to minimize water waste.

Click below to see what residents in the Boundary are already doing to reduce their personal water needs:

If you have any ideas on education or tools that the RDKB Watershed Program should explore or consider incorporating to help support efficient water use, please let me know.