Learning with Local Help: Expanding the Dialogue on Climate Change and Water Management in the Okanagan Region, British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

The research activity described in this report is a comprehensive regional assessment of the impacts of climate change on water resources and options for adaptation in the Okanagan Basin. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop integrated climate change and water resource scenarios to stimulate a multistakeholder discussion on the implications of climate change for water management in the region.The paper describes two main objectives: (a) providing a set of research products that will be of relevance to regional interests in the Okanagan, and (b) establishing a methodology for participatory integrated assessment of regional climate change impacts and adaptation that could be applied to climate-related concerns in Canada and other countries.This collaborative study has relied on field research, computer-based models, and dialogue exercises to generate an assessment of future implications, and to learn about regional views on the prospects for adaptation. Along the way, it has benefited from strong partnerships with governments, researchers, local water practitioners, and user groups. Building on the scenario-based study components, and a series of interviews and surveys undertaken for the water management and adaptation case study components, a set of stakeholder dialogue sessions were organized which focused on identifying preferred adaptation options and processes for their implementation. Rather than seeking consensus on the "best" option or process, regional interests were asked to consider a range of available options as part of an adaptation portfolio that could address both supply side and demand side aspects of water resources management in the Okanagan. * The Canadian Crown reserves the right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright.

Resistance and Resilience of A Stream Salamander To Supraseasonal Drought

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“…Tisdell (2010) evaluated the implications of different water policy options in a semiarid area of Australia by modelling and found that the most cost effective option was a reduction of the water allocation to entitlement holders in order to increase water available for environmental use. Similarly to our study, Cohen et al (2006) identified, by combining computer-based models and participatory research in the Okanagan Basin (Canada), a portfolio of adaptation options for water resources management rather than seeking consensus on the Bbest^option or process. Méndez et al (2012) explored the historical records of the Doñana case study to develop a tailored action research program and provide specific policy-relevant recommendations for water resources management and wetland conservation.…”

“…Recent researches have combined both methods to assess and identify climate change risk and adaptation options with valuable results on the adoption of a local adaptation strategy (Picketts et al 2013;Cohen et al 2006). Tisdell (2010) evaluated the implications of different water policy options in a semiarid area of Australia by modelling and found that the most cost effective option was a reduction of the water allocation to entitlement holders in order to increase water available for environmental use.…”

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“…In the Canadian portion of the CRB, Cohen et al (2006) examined water supply and demand in the semi-arid Okanagan basin, with consideration of future scenarios of moderate to severe climate change. Sullivan et al (2003), for example, developed a water poverty index (WPI) to identify areas facing severe Water Resource Vulnerability in the Columbia River Basin / 341 water stress in South Africa.…”