Despite the lack of snow in Summerland, the snow pack at Summerland’s reservoirs is close to normal.
Earlier this month, municipal crews measured the depth of the snow pack at Headwaters Lake and Isintok Lake.
At Headwaters Lake, the snow pack had a water equivalent of 97 millimetres. This is 91 per cent of the average of 107 millimetres.
At Isintok Lake, the snow pack was 85 millimetres, or 106 per cent of the average of 80 millimetres.
“I’m surprised we’re as close to average as we are,” said Scott Lee, water operations manager for the municipality.
“Even though it doesn’t look like much snow down here, we still have it at the higher elevations.”
At this time last year, the snow pack at Headwaters Lake was 93 per cent of normal, while Isintok Lake’s snow pack was at 76 per cent of normal.
While snow pack levels are measured throughout the winter, the most important measurements are those taken in March and April.
The water from the melting snow is used to fill Summerland’s reservoirs. The reservoirs in turn provides water for irrigation and domestic use for the year.
Last year, despite a lower than normal snow pack, the community did not have to go into severe water restrictions, partly because of efforts by the community to conserve water.
This year, the conservation effort will continue as water metering is expected to be introduced.