Okanagan Fish/Water Management Tool

The 2005-2006 water year represented the first big test of the Okanagan Fish/Water Management (OKFWM) model and its operators. Considering the start of the year projected a drought pattern, then switched to above average inflow with high run-off during snow melt in June, operators were forced to make a variety of adjustments. OKFWM Operations Group members performed numerous model runs and diagnostic assessments, and in the end produced a very fish-friendly outcome that also avoided significant flooding.

Testimonials, 2005-2006 water year

Brian Symonds
Director, Regional Operations
Water Stewardship, Ministry of Environment, British Columbia

“…from my perspective FWMT was put to the test this year and really proved its worth through the improved flow and lake level management for fish. Everyone involved in both its development and implementation this year deserves congratulations on its success.

2006 was clearly a year with a number of management options, challenges and operational choices which continued to evolve and change throughout the freshet period. By using the tool we were able to anticipate the impact of a range of different release scenarios on the different interests and make informed and cooperative decisions, something which would have been far more difficult without OKFWM. The real-time information on the development of both the kokanee and sockeye eggs and the timing of fry emergence enabled us to fine tune our operations to minimize the detrimental impacts on fish while at the same time providing clear windows of opportunity to safely increase discharges to minimize the impacts of high water around both Okanagan Lake and along Okanagan River.

Overall I feel that the tool enabled the system to be managed in a transparent and cooperative manner, while at the same time balancing and meeting the objectives of all parties involved in fisheries management despite the challenges and twists which the spring weather presented. This is the kind of year that in the past might have lead to a significant amount of controversy around the operation of the system and where past operating practices may have resulted in greater negative impacts on the fisheries resources than occurred.

Another observation is that OKFWM served as a great educational tool for Water Stewardship staff, who had limited previous experience with operating the system, and who were left to make management decision with limited input… When I think back on the challenges of operating the system in my first year, when I did not have the benefit of OKFWM, I am convinced that the releases decisions made by [new staff] and others definitely benefited from the having access to OKFWM. It is readily apparent to me that decisions made at critical times for fish were significantly influenced by the information provided by OKFWM. Without this information being readily available in a timely manner there would likely have been different decisions made which may have resulted in greater negative impacts on the fisheries resources.

Thanks again to all who helped in the development of OKFWM and its implementation during its first real test.”

Brian Symonds
Director, Regional Operations
Water Stewardship, British Columbia

Partial example of OKFWM model output showing major event and decision episodes, water year 2005-2006. Top panel is for Okanagan Lake , lower panel is for Okanagan River near Oliver , BC. Red numbered circles represent major events and decision episodes that occurred throughout the year.

Response from Chair Canadian Okanagan Basin Technical Working Group