How Low Can We Go?

Williams Lake levels have begun their summer decline. The level was measured as 60 cm below the top of the dam on July 6th. This is lower than the level recorded on the same day in 13 out of previous 19 years. A similar level was recorded on that day in 2004, 2008, 2016 and 2018 while the level was even lower on this date last summer (88 cm below top of dam) and in 2010 (73 cm below). The level recovered in the summers of 2004 and 2008 due to a wet August and in 2010 due to a wet July but hot dry summers in 2016, 2018 and 2020 led to historically low levels (130 cm below the top of the dam by the end of August).

The WLCC is concerned about the impact of another hot dry summer. Repair of the dam is urgently needed to stop unnecessary loss of water under the dam. Equally important is protection of the watershed from future developments that would further reduce the flow and quality of water entering the lake.