Shuswap Lake water level approaching record low

SALMON ARM, B.C. — The level of Shuswap Lake has been declining and is approaching both the all time and annual record lows.

The City of Salmon Arm’s report on the Shuswap Lake level had the depth recorded at 345.265 metres as of Aug. 30.

That was down from the 346.113 metres recorded on Aug. 30, 2022, and was the lowest level for that particular day on record. The next lowest level for Aug. 30 was recorded at 345.683 metres in 2017.

The data for 2023 showed the lake’s level had been steadily declining since May 29, when it was recorded at 348.492 metres, which was also the highest level on record to-date for 2023.

The low to-date for 2023 was 344.772 metres on both March 29 and April 2, only half a metre lower than the level recorded on Aug. 30.

The continued decline also brings the water down to near the all-time low, which was recorded at 334.70 metres on March 16, 2002.

Speaking with Vernon Matters, Tracy Hughes, communications coordinator for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD), attributed the declining lake levels to the lack of rain.

“The drought conditions, the dry conditions of this summer and a little bit through the spring as well. We had a drought start early on this year. [It] has definitely contributed to those low water levels,” Hughes said.

She noted the forecast does not call for any significant rainfall in the near future and it is possible the levels drop below the historic lows.

“We are anticipating that we may see record lows this year, absolutely, because we’re only at the beginning of September We have more warm weather in the forecast which is going to reduce those lake levels even further,” Hughes said.

“It’s definitely something that’s an issue and we’re definitely keeping a close eye on.”

She noted the low levels have impacted some of the boat launches on the lake already.

“We have had to close two of our boat launches: the boat launch at Harbour Road in Blind Bay is currently closed and the boat launch at Bristo Road in Celista is also closed, and those are both due to low water,” Hughes told Vernon Matters.

“We also posted some warnings at some of our other boat launches advising people that the lake levels are low and they should use additional caution when they’re loading and unloading their boats.”

Hughes added the CSRD will continue to monitor the lake level and could close more of their launches if the water continues to recede.

Hughes did note that the water level dropping is not expected to have any impacts on the water systems in the CSRD as the intakes are deep enough in the lake to not be affected by the receding water level.