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Okanagan Water Facts

There is less water available per person in the Okanagan than anywhere else in Canada.

The Okanagan has one of the highest rates of water use per person in Canada.

The second largest use of water in the Okanagan is used on our household lawns & gardens.

The Okanagan is on the front lines of climate change, shifting between flooding and drought, and extreme fire seasons.

As we work to find solutions to these climate events, Make Water Work is aimed at preparing Okanagan residents with resilient landscapes that can handle wet and dry years, and help ensure a sustainable water supply for our valley.

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Current Okanagan Drought Level

Level 4

As of Oct. 9, 2025, the Province of B.C. increased the Okanagan’s drought level to a Level 4, reflecting dangerously low flows in local creeks and rivers.

Cool evenings and crisp fall air are unfortunately not enough to counteract months of warm temperatures and below-normal precipitation. The province has raised the Okanagan to Drought Level 4—an unprecedented and critical level change for this time of year.

In 2023, the Okanagan did sit at Level 4 in October but that was a drop down from a Level 5, not an increase of level this late in the season.

It is crucial that we continue to practice water conservation. Water is vital for our farmers, firefighters, and fish migration at this pivotal time.

The drought level set by the Province tells us the big picture for the Okanagan and right now many streams are low and their water is warm. As summer continues, fish start returning and farmers are getting ready to harvest crops – it is important to conserve water wherever possible.

Remember: Your local water supplier knows best what’s needed to keep water flowing for homes, food, fish, and firefighting right where you are.