Drought situation improves in Okanagan, Interior

The recent rain has helped quench the drought situation locally.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre reported the Okanagan Basin as being at Drought Level 2 Thursday, Oct. 19.

That marked a significant improvement from the Drought Level 4 reported the week prior, and the highest Drought Level 5 over the summer.

Under Drought Level 2, adverse impacts to the socio-economic or ecosystem values due to conditions are “unlikely.”

The North and Lower Thompson basins also improved to Level 2.

The South Thompson, Salmon River and Upper Columbia basins in the North Okanagan and Shuswap also saw their Drought Levels declined from 4 to 3, on a week-to-week basis, meaning adverse impacts were still “possible.”

The Nicola, Coldwater, Similkameen, Kettle and Lower Columbia basins were all still ranked at Level 4 as of Oct. 19, which is described as being “likely” of seeing adverse impacts due to conditions.