Computer Models for Okanagan Water

The Okanagan Water Supply & Demand project is based on best available science and data and provides a foundation of data and modeling, but in some cases the data was limited.

• For example, the project relied heavily on modeled values for lake evaporationThe process by which water changes from a liquid to atmospheric water vapour - an essential part of the water cycle. and groundwaterWater existing below the ground surface in aquifers.
• Only one climate change model was used for the scenarios in this phase, and should not be considered a clear prediction of the future.

In the next phase of the project, the potential impacts of climate change will be explored more extensively.

This project is a scientific one and much of the data and models are targeted to expert users:

• The Okanagan Water DemandWater useVolume or rate of water diverted or withdrawn from a water body (eg a stream, lake, or groundwaterWater existing below the ground surface in aquifers aquiferAn underground formation that stores groundwater) for use by humans on the land surface. Actual water use is determined through direct measurement. Water demand is an estimate of actual water use. determined using an estimation approach, such as a model Model (OWDM) estimates water needs for different human uses

• The Okanagan BasinLand area from which water drains towards a common pointThe Okanagan watershedLand area from which water drains towards a common point, or basinLand area from which water drains towards a common point, is a narrow strip that spans from Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada to the US border and includes five main lakes – Okanagan, Kalamalka-Wood, Skaha, Vaseux and Osoyoos – and surrounding mountains. The Okanagan BasinLand area from which water drains towards a common point includes all the land that feeds water to our big lakes, and is almost 200 km in length and 8,000 km2 in area. Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Osoyoos all lie within the Okanagan BasinLand area from which water drains towards a common point. Water Accounting Model (OBWAM) estimates natural stream-flowsThe flow of water in rivers or stream channels and the effects of water storage and extractions on stream-flowsThe flow of water in rivers or stream channels and lake levels.

Together, these two models provide the opportunity to examine water alternatives – under a changing climate, a growing population, a changing agricultural land base, and increased water useVolume or rate of water diverted or withdrawn from a water body (eg a stream, lake, or groundwaterWater existing below the ground surface in aquifers aquiferAn underground formation that stores groundwater) for use by humans on the land surface. Actual water use is determined through direct measurement. Water demand is an estimate of actual water use. efficiency.

The Okanagan Water Supply & Demand Viewer is designed to show information that might otherwise have become lost deep in technical reports and presents it in a user-friendly format.

Read More:

• Okanagan Water DemandWater useVolume or rate of water diverted or withdrawn from a water body (eg a stream, lake, or groundwaterWater existing below the ground surface in aquifers aquiferAn underground formation that stores groundwater) for use by humans on the land surface. Actual water use is determined through direct measurement. Water demand is an estimate of actual water use. determined using an estimation approach, such as a model Model
• Okanagan BasinLand area from which water drains towards a common pointThe Okanagan watershedLand area from which water drains towards a common point, or basinLand area from which water drains towards a common point, is a narrow strip that spans from Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada to the US border and includes five main lakes – Okanagan, Kalamalka-Wood, Skaha, Vaseux and Osoyoos – and surrounding mountains. The Okanagan BasinLand area from which water drains towards a common point includes all the land that feeds water to our big lakes, and is almost 200 km in length and 8,000 km2 in area. Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Osoyoos all lie within the Okanagan BasinLand area from which water drains towards a common point. Water Accounting Model

Project Downloads:

• Summary Report – Part Three – Models (468Kb PDF)
• Agriculture Water DemandWater useVolume or rate of water diverted or withdrawn from a water body (eg a stream, lake, or groundwaterWater existing below the ground surface in aquifers aquiferAn underground formation that stores groundwater) for use by humans on the land surface. Actual water use is determined through direct measurement. Water demand is an estimate of actual water use. determined using an estimation approach, such as a model Model report (8.7Mb PDF)