Regional Climate and Production Systems
Historical climate and production capacity
This region includes the Regional District of Central Okanagan, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, and the Regional District of North Okanagan. The Okanagan region has a warm growing season and relatively mild winters and springs that have long frost-free periods. The Okanagan’s hot, sunny, dry climate is classified as semi-arid, with the lowest average annual precipitation in southern Canada. The southern Okanagan is drier and hotter than further north, where the growing season is slightly shorter. Temperatures are also warmer in the Okanagan’s valley bottoms than at higher elevations.
Annual precipitation varies across the Okanagan region. The drier, southern part of the region sees an average of 250 millimeters per year, while the northern part and higher elevations see an average of 400 millimeters per year. Lack of precipitation during the growing seasons means that irrigation is needed for most production in the region.
Soil types and agricultural capability vary across the region and by elevation. Most agricultural land is near Okanagan Lake and its tributaries. Parts of the Agricultural Land Reserve are north of Okanagan Lake and around Princeton. There are large differences in soil type in the Okanagan. The southern part of the region has deep sandy soils, and the area around Kelowna has mainly clay and gravel soils. Unimproved soils are Class 4 or 5 due to dryness and topography, but soils can be improved to Class 1, 2 or 3, depending on the severity of limitations.
Agricultural production
In 2016, this region was home to 19% of the farms in BC. Types of agricultural production vary across the Okanagan region. In the northern areas, forage, dairy and cattle ranching are common. The central and south Okanagan produce most of BC’s tree fruit and wine grapes, and this area is one of the largest producers of these commodities in Canada. Sweet cherry production grew significantly in the region from 2006-2016. Thirty-nine percent of the province’s certified organic farms are located across the region. The Okanagan region also has beekeeping, greenhouse and nursery production, vegetable and melon farming and sheep/lamb production. Many of these production types have increased since 2006.
Top Issues in the Okanagan
Projections provided by the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium were shared during the regional planning process where producers discussed how the anticipated changes would likely affect their operations. Then they identified four climate issues as their top concerns. Many of these projects are a direct response to the adaptation strategies and top issues outlined in the Bulkley-Nechako & Fraser-Fort George Adaptation Strategies plan. The projects are developed by CCAP with oversight and input from a regional working group. Other projects deliver applied research that supports climate change adaptation at the farm level. These 2-4 year projects fall under the Farm Adaptation Innovator Program.
Learn more about climate change adaptation in each region:
Projects
