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Drought Conditions Declared for Osoyoos Lake
The board is limiting outflows at Zosel Dam and using temporary variances to protect lake levels and salmon habitat as three drought thresholds are met or forecast.
- On Tuesday, the International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control activated drought measures after forecasts indicated all three drought criteria would be met, authorizing Ecology to operate the lake within the drought range through fall.
- Severe conditions prompted this action, as the Okanagan basin holds just 31 per cent of its normal snowpack while the Similkameen Basin sits at 61 per cent, with net inflows forecast at 64 per cent of the drought threshold.
- Under the declaration, the International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control and Zosel Dam will limit outflows to raise Osoyoos Lake levels to around 912 feet, specifically adjusting operations "to capture spring runoff."
- Washington State issued a statewide drought declaration on April 8, 2026, amid concerns regarding summer water supply, while the International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control had already activated temporary variances in April after lake levels dipped.
- If hydrologic conditions improve, The Board may rescind the drought declaration and order lake levels dropped under 912.0 feet, though the Similkameen River forecast has decreased as snow at lower elevations melted entirely.
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Salmon Arm Observer+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Osoyoos Lake officially enters drought status
The International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control (IOLBC) is activating drought response measures due to severe conditions as of May 12. The conditions that are required for a drought declaration require low flows in the Similkameen River, low net inflow into Okanagan Lake, and low peak Okanagan Lake levels. The first condition has already been met and the IOLBC is expecting all three to be met, based on forecast conditions. Water supply in the Si…
·Salmon Arm, Canada
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Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution80% Left
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- 80% of the sources lean Left
80% Left
L 80%
C 20%
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