Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are becoming a serious issue in Okanagan lakes. These blooms can harm drinking water, threaten wildlife, and ruin recreational activities like swimming and boating.
To tackle this problem, the Okanagan Basin Water Board is teaming up with the City of Kelowna and Westbank First Nation. They’ve applied for a grant from Environment and Climate Change Canada. Their goal is to create a system for tracking algae and cyanobacteria that lead to HABs. This initiative will include early warning alerts for water suppliers, emergency plans, treatment guides, and training programs.
A team of 40 local experts supports this project. If successful, this system might be used in other regions of Canada facing similar issues.
Recent data show that while the Okanagan experienced higher precipitation levels in March, it only slightly improved snowpack levels, which were at 82% of normal. Sandra Schira, an OBWB water specialist, highlights that upcoming rainfall will be critical in determining drought risks this summer.
In an exciting development, Zallie Hoff, a student researcher from UBCO, studied how groundwater and surface water interact in Mission Creek. Her research found that wells near the creek can lower its water levels. If too much water is pumped, especially during the summer, it could lead to dangerously low flow levels. This relationship is vital, as it affects fish, ecosystems, and local water supplies.
Water scarcity is also impacting milfoil control efforts. In Okanagan and Wood Lakes, de-rooting is finished, but low water levels in Osoyoos Lake have halted the milfoil removal machine. As a result, only public beach areas will receive attention for treatment this winter. Kalamalka Lake is experiencing similar challenges, where low water levels are causing increased turbidity and may affect local water intakes.
These conditions illustrate how interconnected our water systems are and emphasize the importance of proactive management strategies. As we move toward summer, staying informed and prepared will be key to maintaining the health of our lakes and communities.
Check out this related article: Discover HERBERT: Nature-Inspired Organic Wines from the Okanagan Valley
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