| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
The District of Summerland supplies water to domestic, commercial and agricultural users. There are approximately 4,100 single family, 269 commercial and 1,151 irrigation connections. The Trout Creek watershed supplies about 90% of the District water supply. There are 8 reservoirs in the headwaters of the Trout Creek watershed, which are currently operated by the District to provide flow regulation. The reservoirs that are currently operated are Thirsk, Crescent, Whitehead, Isintok and the four Headwaters Reservoirs. Water is released from the reservoirs as required to provide sufficient flow at the diversion structure on Trout Creek. Summerland holds Water Licences to utilize approximately 15,000 acre feet of water per year from Trout Creek for irrigation and domestic purposes. The maximum use occurred in 1979 with consumption of 13,367 acre feet. Summerland also holds Water Licences to store approximately 12,500 acre feet of water in 9 reservoirs within the Trout Creek watershed. Actual storage is calculated at 9,373 acre feet in all of the reservoirs combined including Tsuh Reservoir which has not been used for many years. During the storage use season from July 1 to October 31 the maximum use was 7695 acre feet in 1979. The diversion structure supplies water to a balancing reservoir located on glacial outwash deposits of sand and gravel. Losses from the balancing reservoir have been estimated by the District. The District meters flow at the chlorination chamber downstream of the balancing reservoir. The rate of reservoir drawdown in July and early August of 2003 created concerns regarding the adequacy of the supply to be able to provide both the community water supply and fish habitat flows in lower Trout Creek. Both irrigation and residential water use was cut back and fish flow releases to lower Trout Creek were reduced. Following the drought of 2003, the District of Summerland initiated a Water Use Plan process modelled on the successful program originally developed by BC Hydro and participating provincial government agencies. The Water Use Plan Guidelines (1998) provide a step-bystep framework for undertaking Water Use Plans. For the Trout Creek Water Use Plan the participating stakeholders are the District of Summerland, Agricultural Water Users, the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Penticton Indian Band. |
