Waterscape - Okanagan Basin

Our Changing Climate

Less water but rising demands
Stream flow - Lower summer and fall stream flows damage habitat and recreation activities.
Reservoir levels - Earlier snow melt leads to lower autumn reservoir levels.
Groundwater - Lower water table causes some shallow wells to go dry.
Wetlands - Lower water table causes some wetlands to dry up.
Habitat - Warmer stream and lake temperatures stress cold-water species, such as trout, kokanee, and salmon.
Agriculture - Longer growing season leads to increased demand for irrigation.
Lake evaporation - Warmer drier summers increase evaporation from lake.
Forests - Warmer drier summers increase evapotranspiration from forests.
Water demand - Longer, warmer summers increase demand for water.
Water supply - Reduced snow pack decreases natural water storage.
Waterscapes: