Lake Level Peak Elevation Shift, Shuswap Lake

OBSERVATION: The average seasonal lake level peaks associated with freshet/spring runoff are now experiencing shifts in timing. In the past, the average maximum lake level (peak) has occurred between June and July. This generally places low water stages between September and April. However, as lake level peaks occur earlier in the year, so too do lake level lows.

In 2015 the maximum peak occurred in late May/early June and the resulting early low lake levels (starting in mid-August) had serious environmental and economic consequences. In terms of economics, many local businesses founded on tourism became limited by low water levels (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kamloops/low-water-levels-in-shuswap-lake-cause-business-concerns-1.3209766). From an environmental perspective, low lake levels have serious implications on spawning fish populations--for example those in the Adams River which already face declines in stock (http://www.saobserver.net/news/337754991.html)

Lake levels are already starting to rise for the 2016 year and may reach peak levels by early May; following the 2015 trend this indicates that lake level lows may begin as early as late July.