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.
Ready to test your Okanagan water IQ and find tips to
Make Water Work Smarter in your yard?
Current Okanagan Drought Level
Level 2
Thanks to cooler temperatures and some precipitation, the Okanagan region was lowered to Drought Level 2 on Sept. 5, 2024. However, some Okanagan streams remain at higher levels due to localized conditions, with low streamflow and higher water temperatures.
The South Okanagan’s Shingle, Shuttleworth and Inkaneep Creek are at Level 3, and Vaseux is at Level 5 – the highest level. Bessette Creek, located in the North Okanagan-Shuswap is at Level 4.
It is important to continue to follow water restrictions in your neighbourhood. These will vary depending on each water utility’s water supply conditions. Find yours by clicking on the “Water Restrictions” button at the top of the page.
If you water your yard… make water work smarter!
XERISCAPE, NOT ZERO-SCAPE
There are many beautiful plants that thrive in our dry Okanagan climate! For a full list, check here!