The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) was instituted in 1970 as a collaboration of the three Okanagan regional districts to provide leadership on valley-wide water issues. Advised by an innovative cross-disciplinary Council, the Board delivers programs and activities to promote coordinated water management throughout the basin. The Board’s jurisdiction is defined by the borders of the Okanagan watershed, or basin, rather than by political boundaries. The basin is almost 200 km long and 8,000 km2 in area. It is a narrow strip stretching from the City of Armstrong in the north to Osoyoos in the south and the Canada-U.S. border. It includes six main lakes – Okanagan, Kalamalka, Wood, Skaha, Vaseux and Osoyoos – and surrounding mountains. “Our vision is to have a fully-integrated water system, meeting the needs of residents and agriculture while supporting wildlife and natural areas.” OBWB activities include: *Basin-wide programs for watermilfoil control, wastewater infrastructure funding, and water research and management – benefiting all Okanagan residents. *Advocating and representing local needs to senior government planners and policy makers – protecting Okanagan interests. *Providing science-based information on Okanagan water to local government decision makers and water managers – for sustainable long-term planning. *Communicating and coordinating between government, non-government, universities, businesses and the public – increasing the effectiveness of water initiatives. *Building funding opportunities by providing leverage grants, securing external dollars and identifying cost-sharing partners – expanding local capacity. Okanagan WaterWise (www.OkWaterWise.ca) is an education and outreach initiative of the Okanagan Basin Water Board. Okanagan WaterWise is committed to the protection and conservation of the Okanagan's most valuable natural resource: water. As residents of the Okanagan, we are all part of... One Valley. One Water.
External link for Okanagan Basin Water Board
1450 KLO Rd.
Kelowna, BC V1W 3Z4, CA
Okanagan Basin Water Board reposted this
Wetlands are the Earth’s kidneys: 🦀 reviving biodiversity, 💧 filtering and replenishing water supplies, 🫧 storing carbon, 🏃♀️ enhancing livelihoods, and 🌪 buffering against floods and storms. Discover more about the crucial role wetlands play in sustaining our planet. via Government of Republic of the Philippines Environmental Management Bureau
We have wrapped up our annual outdoor water conservation campaign, Make Water Work, for another year. The campaign included a pledge contest to win $500 in WaterWise yard materials which was won by a Kelowna resident. “Water is so precious here and it’s not going to change so we are the ones that have to change," said Lisa, explaining why she took the pledge and why she is compelled to make water work smarter in her yard. 💦 As for our "Make Water Work Community Champion,” the Town of Oliver regained the title, 10 years after their first win! Find the full news release "Okanagan water conservation campaign delivers wins, despite continued drought" here: https://bit.ly/4f57HyQ Thank you to our MANY partners for another fantastic year! - City Of Armstrong , Township of Spallumcheen , Regional District of North Okanagan , District of Lake Country , Westbank First Nation , City of West Kelowna , District of Peachland , Summerland, Corporation of The District of , City of Kelowna , Penticton Indian Band , City of Penticton , Town of Osoyoos , Town of Oliver , Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen - GARDENWORKS Canada , Kel Lake Garden Centre , Blue Mountain Nursery, Swan Lake Market Garden, Nicholas Alexander Home & Garden/Landscaping , Lake Country Home Hardware, Wild Bloom Nursery , Prosource Irrigation, Sagebrush Nursery , SANDHU GREENHOUSES , Okanagan Xeriscape Assoc., FireSmart BC - Blair Ireland , K. James Littley , Corinne Jackson , Amanda Burnett , Sandra Schira , Dr. Nelson R. Jatel , Carolina Restrepo-Tamayo, M.S.
The October Water Board Report is here https://lnkd.in/gVMEUkDg What's new: 💧 Water Board Directors share water priorities across Okanagan communities. 💧 Board Directors hear about new real-time hydrometric data. 💧 Directors receive Summary of the 2024 drought. 💧 New permit to allow expanded milfoil control options while protecting the environment.
Okanagan Basin Water Board reposted this
📢 One week left to apply! PSF’s Community Salmon Program is still accepting applications for the Fall 2024 funding round. Apply today to support a project focused on salmon conservation, habitat restoration, monitoring, or stewardship. The program will pay up to 50% of the total value of each project and must be matched by other funds, donations, and volunteer labour. This is a limited call for applications, as all grant funds must be spent and final reports submitted by March 31, 2025. Submit your Community Salmon Program application today: https://lnkd.in/g6CSCqgn Photos: Redd Fish Restoration Society
Okanagan Basin Water Board reposted this
Enter the First Nations Fisheries Council of British Columbia photo contest! 🐟 📸 Submit your photo by October 15: https://lnkd.in/gKpeY6Xv
The FNFC Photo Contest, Waters, Lands, & Fish is live! ✅ Ready to participate? Visit https://lnkd.in/gKpeY6Xv for submission details, contest rules, and more. #FNFCPhotoContest #FirstNationsFisheries #ComingSoon #PhotographyContest #FNFC2025Calendar #LondonDrugs
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has provided a statement regarding yesterday’s finding of quagga mussels in a stretch of the Snake River, despite efforts to kill them off after their initial discovery last fall. Find here: https://lnkd.in/gfmAzHvP? Those wanting to stay up-to-date can sign up here: Idaho.gov/quagga. For those looking for information on the Okanagan Basin Water Board’s latest calls to action, and resources to prevent invasive mussels from entering the Okanagan, B.C. and beyond, visit www.DontMoveAMussel.ca. #invasivemussels #quaggamussels #DontMoveAMussel #protectourwaters #Okanagan #syilxterritory #Okanagantourism
Okanagan Basin Water Board reposted this
Terrible news out of Idaho today. As we feared, another detection of invasive quagga mussels near Twin Falls. This is in the Columbia River system. Idaho has been one of the most responsible jurisdictions trying to protect their water for more than a decade with mandatory watercraft inspections, and a well-educated population. When the mussels were first detected last year, Idaho conducted an immediate and extensive chemical treatment. This year it significantly increased its budget for detection and monitoring. Unfortunately this means there is likely a large population still out there, and they have had a year to spread down river. An ounce of prevention, because there is no cure. More to follow in the coming days. Anna Warwick Sears Nathan Cullen Blair Ireland Dr. Nelson R. Jatel Corinne Jackson Amanda Burnett Carolina Restrepo-Tamayo, M.S. Sandra Schira Tracy Gray Mel Arnold Caroline Miller Gregg Howald Eve Layman Kelowna Chamber Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) Oliver Brandes Jordan Coble Mark Gifford Jesse Zeman BCWF Wetlands Education Program Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission Roly Russell Richard Cannings Tourism Kelowna Okanagan Basin Water Board
Tune in for an interview with our own James Littley from The Okanagan Basin Water Board. James takes a deep dive into Invasive Mussels and shares important knowledge that you should be concerned with if you drink water or pay taxes! In his role here at OBWB, James has become an expert on invasive mussels, manages the removal of invasive plants in several Okanagan lakes, and supports projects around wastewater reduction and other water science. https://lnkd.in/efSWNhMv
The Okanagan Basin Water Board is seeking a team-oriented, experienced communications professional to plan, facilitate and support OBWB’s internal and external communications. This position supports communications for a diverse range of ongoing water-focused programs and projects. You will be successful in this position if you can flexibly manage multiple priorities, working collaboratively with staff, board directors, media, contractors, partners and the public. This is a full-time, permanent position located in-person at our offices in Kelowna, B.C. Please submit your resume with a cover letter in PDF or Word by 4:00 p.m., Thursday, October 17, 2024 to OBWB Deputy Administrator, James Littley - james.littley@obwb.ca See the full job description here: https://lnkd.in/egWjt_2e Those selected for interviews will be contacted by October 31st.
🌿 Did you know? Instead of using potentially harmful water herbicides, our Milfoil Mavericks use mechanical harvesting in summer, and rototilling in winter, to control the growth of invasive Eurasian watermilfoil. By removing milfoil we ensure your summer fun is free from slimy weeds. And for our fish friends, this removal helps ease their passage through the lakes. Here’s to invasive-free waters and healthy habitats! #OkWaterWise #OkanaganBeaches #OkanaganLakes #EurasianMilfoil #InvasiveSpecies