Orchardists seek emergency wells as North Okanagan water crisis deepens
Two orchardists want 3 temporary wells to keep 480 acres irrigated and free up 10% of surface water demand, but officials warn of lake impacts.
- On Wednesday, the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee debated a controversial proposal by orchardists David Geen and John Byland to drill three private emergency wells in the Coldstream Valley to protect their crops amid historic drought.
- Persistent snowpack and rainfall deficits have forced Greater Vernon Water to impose Stage 3 restrictions, requiring a 70 per cent reduction in agricultural water allocations to avoid triggering Stage 4 measures that would cut off supply entirely.
- To mitigate crop risks, Geen and Byland proposed taking 480 acres off the Duteau grid, which they claim would free up 10 per cent of GVW surface water demand, with well infrastructure transferred to the RDNO by 2027.
- RDNO staff oppose the plan, citing a Caulwell Engineering Geoscience Ltd. report warning that extracting 1,000 megalitres annually would impact Kalamalka Lake and negate up to 50 per cent of community water conservation efforts.
- The Regional District contends public utilities should be first in line for allocation to support all stakeholders, arguing that mandated growth under Bill 44 requires centralized, fair management of scarce regional water resources.
7 Articles
7 Articles
Orchardists' plans for new wells draw concern about already-stressed Vernon water supply - The Similkameen Spotlight
As a pair of large-scale orchardists in Coldstream pursue a plan to save their trees amid extreme drought conditions, the staff with the local utility and regional district are urging the Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship to stop them. Greater Vernon Water staff are “very concerned” about the orchardists’ plans to drill into the Coldstream aquifer, because of its potential short and long-term impacts to the community and environm…
Penticton Western News
Orchardists' plans for new wells draw concern about already-stressed Vernon water supply
As a pair of large-scale orchardists in Coldstream pursue a plan to save their trees amid extreme drought conditions, the staff with the local utility and regional district are urging the Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship to stop them. Greater Vernon Water staff are “very concerned” about the orchardists’ plans to drill into the Coldstream aquifer, because of its potential short and long-term impacts to the community and environm…
Orchardists seek emergency wells as North Okanagan water crisis deepens
As the North Okanagan grapples with persistent drought conditions and severe Stage 3 water restrictions, the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee is set to meet on Wednesday to debate a controversial proposal to drill new private emergency wells in the Coldstream Valley. Greater Vernon Water, operated ...
Orchard operators in B.C.'s North Okanagan seek emergency wells drilled amid ongoing drought
Vernon, B.C. – The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee is to meet to discuss a controversial proposal for the drilling of private emergency wells in the Coldstream Valley to support local orchards dealing with drought conditions. The water crisis has forced Greater Vernon Water to impose a 70 per cent water reduction for agricultural purposes to avoid Stage 4 restrictions. Without the necessary water, there is a risk of tree death. A hydrogeologic…
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