Land Use & Water Quality Impact Assessment of the Coldstream Creek Watershed (Greater Vernon Water - Source Protection)

This project is to support the Kalamalka Lake source water protection plan for Greater Vernon Water (GVW). Kalamalka Lake is one of the primary drinking water sources, supplying the majority of domestic supply to approximately 65,000 people in the GVW service area. Coldstream Creek is the main tributary of Kalamalka Lake, providing over 80% of inflow into the lake, and water quality in the creek directly impacts the GVW Kalamalka Lake intake. 

The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is completing this project as a recent preliminary review of land use changes in the last five (5) years has highlighted new domestic, agricultural and industrial developments, that could negatively impact water quality in Coldstream Creek.  A summary of some of the issues of concern identified by staff are:

• numerous files from provincial agencies on properties directly adjacent to Coldstream Creek or close to drainages / tributaries of Coldstream Creek that have not accounted for or not adequately accounted for impacts to the creek (i.e. nutrients, hydrogeologic impacts, dust, etc.),
• a number of septic fields for high-density housing have been installed close to Coldstream Creek or drainages to the creek that were signed off by an authorized person (AP) but Interior Health has confirmed they do not review or approve and only “file”, hence there is no oversight on these systems,
• other land uses of concern that have been approved by various agencies that include land application of liquid effluent, large-scale composting facilities, gravel pits and liquid waste disposal to ground, and 
• applications are being approved by different agencies in isolation with no consideration of cumulative impacts. 

During this same time period, GVW has experienced unprecedented cyanobacteria blooms at the Kalamalka Lake intake and the Kalamalka Beach was closed for the first time in 2024 due to high E.coli counts.   

This study will update the land use / vulnerability study completed in 2017 and review submissions to approving agencies, the Coldstream Creek water quality sampling program completed by GVW, relevant background information and reports and relevant legislation / bylaws around land use decisions that could impact the creek. From this extensive review, a risk assessment will be completed for each potential impact / hazard and provided in a separate, stand alone risk assessment sheet that may be used for reporting to various agencies. A consultant will also provide recommendations for improvements of the water quality sampling program including the best locations for one (1) or two (2) on-line water quality monitoring stations, on developing tools to better manage and reduce drinking water risks (i.e. policy, bylaws, public education, etc.) and provide an achievable action plan with the guidance of GVW staff.  The final task will be to identify gaps in legislation and provide recommendations for legislative change for the improvement of watershed management.

The study outcomes will be used by the Kalamalka Lake Regional Working Group (KLRWG) to inform their work plan. The KLRWG is a recent partnership formed between the RDNO, District of Lake Country and Okanagan Indian Band to collaborate on shared goals on the protection of drinking water and cultural heritage values and on reducing impacts to Kalamalka Lake.

This project will also compliment the 2025 Foreshore Integrated Management Planning (FIMP) Cultural and Archaeological Survey of Wood and Kalamalka Lakes that is being completed to inventory, assess, and map cultural, archaeological, and ecological foreshore values. The FIMP is funded in part by the BC Conservation Foundation, Central Okanagan Foundation, Friends of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, Kal Tire, Okanagan Basin Water Board, Foord Family Foundation, District of Coldstream, and District of Lake Country. 

The study is funded by a Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant from the Okanagan Basin Water Board. This grant program provides funds to local governments to support innovative, tangible, on the ground, water quality and conservation improvement initiatives.