Planning for a Drier Climate in the Okanagan

The Okanagan Valley is one of the warmest and driest regions in Canada. Recent years have seen a drop in rainfall and warmer winter weather, resulting in reduced snow pack in the mountains. A recent report, Expanding the Dialogue on Climate Change and Water Management in the Okanagan Basin, prepared by Environment Canada researchers, studies the effects of climate change on the area.

Climate models for the Okanagan predict warmer weather and drier conditions — with perhaps as much as a 35% reduction in rainfall. Drier conditions would have serious impacts on development and agriculture in the valley. Public education and water conservation programs are being planned to alleviate the demand for water in the region.

Link: Is the Okanagan Valley Drying Up? from EnviroZine, Environment Canada's on-line newsmagazine

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 3:33 PM on March 22, 2005

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