Okanagan Drought Level
Level 5
May 28, 2026:
Despite some welcome rainfall in May, the Okanagan continues to face serious drought conditions. Years of below-normal precipitation and low snowpack — which melted earlier than ever recorded in many areas — have led the Province to set the first regional drought level of the season at Level 5, the highest possible rating.
With snowpack gone earlier than usual, streams across the valley have already seen their spring freshets finish. In most cases, these peak flows occurred earlier than normal and at lower-than-average levels.
Read the latest OBWB Drought Bulletin here.
Remember: Your local water supplier knows best what’s needed to keep water flowing for homes, food, fish, and firefighting right where you are.
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?
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!