The snow pack at Isintok Lake west of Summerland is at less than half its normal level for this time of year.
The most recent statistics, taken by the municipality of Summerland, show the snow depth at the site is 350 millimetres, or the water equivalent of 74 millimetres.
This is 44 per cent of the historical average water equivalent of 168 millimetres, based on 61 years of measurements.
Isintok Lake, one of two sites monitored by Summerland municipal staff, has repeatedly been measured far below the average over the recent winter. On Jan. 1, the measurement was 69 per cent of the historical average. The snow depth was at 63 per cent of the historical average on Feb. 1 and 65 per cent on March 1.
Meanwhile, Summerland Reservoir, also monitored by municipal staff, was sitting a single point under its historical average.
The snow depth at the site was 770 millimetres, or the equivalent of 223 millimetres of water. This is 99 per cent of the historical average of 226 millimetres, based on 62 years of measurements.
The reservoir has been bounced around its historical averages throughout the winter. On Jan. 1, the snow pack was at 117 per cent. On Feb. 1, it was 89 per cent and on March 1 it was 101 per cent.
Snow pack measurements are taken at the beginning of the month from Jan. 1 to May 1. In May and June, measurements are taken twice a month until the snow pack has melted.
Throughout the Okanagan Valley, the snow pack measurements have been lower than normal.
The most recent figures, taken March 1 and released March 11, showed the snow pack in the Okanagan was at 82 per cent of the historical average. In the Similkameen, the snow pack has been much lower, at 60 per cent of normal.
