The snow pack has melted from one measurement site west of Summerland and is well below normal levels at another.
The most recent snow survey data, from May 1, showed the snow pack at Summerland Reservoir measured 140 millimetres, or the equivalent of 58 millimetres of water.
This is 54 per cent of the historical average water equivalent for the date, which is 107 millimetres, based on 62 years of measurements.
At Isintok Lake, the snow has completely melted. The historical average water equivalent for that site, based on 61 years of measurements, is 125 millimetres of water.
Summerland conducts snow pack measurements at the beginning of the month from Jan. 1 to May 1, and then twice a month until the snow pack has melted.
Throughout much of this winter, the Summerland Reservoir measurements have been close to normal levels. In January, the snow pack was 117 per cent of normal. In February, it was 89 per cent of normal, in March it was 101 per cent of normal and in April it was 99 per cent of normal.
However, at Isintok Lake, the snow pack has been significantly lower than normal throughout the winter.
The Jan. 1 measurement was 69 per cent of normal levels, and the February and March measurements were lower than that number. On April 1, the snow pack was 44 per cent of its historical average for that date.
The Summerland measurements are taken by municipal staff each month.
The figures also reflect a regional and province-wide trend.
In the Okanagan, the April 1 snow pack was 82 per cent of its normal levels, while the nearby Similkameen region was at 63 per cent of its historical averages. The provincial average showed British Columbia’s snow pack was at 79 per cent of normal levels.
Provincial statistics for the May 1 measurements are not yet available. The latest provincial report, from early April, stated there is no elevated flood risk, but because of the low snow pack, there is the possibility for increased drought hazards in some areas.
