Greater Vernon Water (GVW) is tracking the latest climate information to help predict water supply levels for the coming year. Snow pack readings were taken February 1, 2012 at three monitoring stations near the Duteau Creek Water Reservoirs. These readings show the snow water equivalent, or water content of the snow, at 98% on average for this time of year. GVW also tracks snow depth and found levels to be at 88% of average.

Greater Vernon Water is working with the BC River Forecast Centre to track regional climate and snow pack trends. Their February 2012 Report states that increased precipitation in January led to an improvement by 10% in levels. The Okanagan-Kettle Basin, which includes GVW's Kalamalka Lake water source, is at 81% of normal snow water equivalent. The South Thompson Basin, covering the Duteau Creek reservoirs, is currently at 92% of normal. While being close to average, GVW will continue to closely monitor these levels as snow pack plays an important role in supplying water to fill our reservoirs during spring melt.

The BC River Forecast Centre has "predicted that La Nina conditions are expected to continue for the next 3 months throughout most of British Columbia, resulting in cooler than normal and normal to wetter than normal conditions. However, La Nina is more likely to have a significant impact on the Western, Coastal portions of the Province than the Interior."

Greater Vernon Water will continue to monitor climate trends and water supplies as we near the summer peak water use season. Updates will be reported as they are received via media releases, in the Sunday editions of the Vernon Morning Star newspaper, and also online www.rdno.ca/water.