The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) has awarded $350,000 to 14 projects through its annual Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program.
The grants are available to Okanagan local governments and First Nations, irrigation districts and non-profit organizations.
This year, the board of directors chose 害羞草研究所渄rought resilience害羞草研究所� as the annual theme, to encourage projects aimed at the prevention, management, and/or mitigation of drought or water shortages across the Okanagan Basin.
In all, the board received 23 applications with a combined ask of $631,725.
害羞草研究所淚t was very competitive this year with a lot of high-scoring proposals,害羞草研究所� said Carolina Restrepo-Tamayo, OBWB害羞草研究所檚 office and grants manager.
With 90 per cent of the applications related to this year害羞草研究所檚 drought theme, Restrepo-Tamayo said, 害羞草研究所淭hat says to us that local government, non-profits and others, see the need to be proactive in addressing this issue.害羞草研究所�
Of the 14 projects approved for funding, 10 are directly related to drought issues.
Among the successful applicants is the Black Mountain Irrigation District for its 害羞草研究所淚deal Lake Reservoir Release Project.害羞草研究所�
This project aims to install remote control hardware and allow the utility to improve efficiency and respond to real-time streamflow conditions, releasing water from Ideal Lake as needed to address drought and environmental flow needs, including the needs of fish.
This project is seen as a potential example for other Okanagan water utilities and would also be a relevant project if a Mission Creek Water Use Plan becomes a reality.
Another proposal with potential valley-wide implications is the City of West Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所淥kanagan Watershed Recovery for Drought Resilience害羞草研究所� proposal.
The city noted that extended drought in the Okanagan has resulted in a decline in water availability in local reservoirs, exacerbated by reduced watershed resilience due to logging and wildfires.
Flashy freshet flows and low summer flows are also issues, compounded by climate instability and increasing populations.
Its proposal includes a review of upland water storage options.
The OBWB sees the project as enhancing water quality and hydrology in the area which can benefit local communities.
It also has the potential to reverse damage from logging, wildfires, and motorized recreation.
Another successful applicant was the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) for its, 害羞草研究所済roundwater害羞草研究所搒tream exchange on alluvial fans of the Okanagan.害羞草研究所�
This project addresses a significant gap in understanding flows from groundwater into Okanagan Lake.
As noted by the ONA, surface flows on alluvial fans are crucial for fish access to spawning and rearing habitats, especially during low flow periods in the valley.
However, the extent of water exchange between streams and groundwater on these fans, and its relationship with human water use, remains poorly understood.
This project will answer this question which could help inform lake-level management, provincial water licensing, and habitat and species protection.
With OBWB grant funding along with additional grant support from others, this year害羞草研究所檚 14 projects have combined budgets of over $2.1 million going toward water improvements in the Okanagan.
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Water conservation and quality improvement grant recipients
害羞草研究所kanagan Nation Alliance
Impacts of Dam Operations in the McDougall Watershed Following Wildfire
$30,000
害羞草研究所kanagan Nation Alliance
Groundwater 害羞草研究所� stream exchange on alluvial fans of the Okanagan Valley 害羞草研究所� Phase 4
$29,167
害羞草研究所kanagan Nation Alliance
$25,000
害羞草研究所ity of West Kelowna
Okanagan Watershed Recovery for Drought Resilience
$30,000
害羞草研究所C Wildlife Federation
Water, Water, Everywhere: Swan Lake Wetland Restoration
$30,000
害羞草研究所kanagan Collaborative Conservation Program
Wetland Research for Climate and Land use Impacts
$20,000
害羞草研究所istrict of Lake Country
Beaver Lake Chain and Vernon Creek Water Management Plan
$30,000
害羞草研究所iving Lakes Canada
Collaboratively Mitigating Development and Climate Impacts to
Foreshore Values on Wood and Kalamalka Lakes
$15,000
害羞草研究所ownship of Spallumcheen
Source Water Quality Sampling in Deep Creek
$29,999.42
害羞草研究所egional District of North Okanagan
Duteau Watershed Fire and Drought Weather Monitoring Station
$29,833.58
害羞草研究所lack Mountain Irrigation District
Ideal Lake Reservoir Release Automation
$30,000
害羞草研究所ity of Kelowna
Drought Resilience Audit Program
$15,000
害羞草研究所istrict of Summerland
Source Protection Response Plan
$30,000
害羞草研究所aseux Lake Stewardship Association
Vaseux Lake Water Monitoring and Testing
$6,000
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