Okanagan Climate
The UBC Okanagan campus is located in the Okanagan very dry hot ponderosa pine zone, which is BC’s driest woodland region and characterized by ponderosa pine, native grasses and shrub species.
Climate trends
UBC Okanagan receives an average of 298 mm of precipitation annually, with approximately 34 per cent falling as snow. High-intensity rainfall events are most common in the spring and summer months.
With climate change, the campus is expected to experience rising temperatures, more intense rainfall, reduced snowfall and lower groundwater recharge during the summer.
Ecological sensitivity
The campus’s diverse mix of woodland, grassland and wetlands supports a range of sensitive ecosystems and species at risk.
Ecosystem mapping completed in 2023 identified that 22 per cent of campus lands are of high or very-high environmental sensitivity, primarily consisting of wetland and woodland habitats.
EXPLORE CAMPUS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS
Due to the woodland and wetland ecosystems, UBC Okanagan is home to species at risk such as the Great Basin Spadefoot Toad and the Western Painted Turtle. These sensitive areas require careful management to preserve biodiversity and ecological integrity.
Topography and soil
The campus features varied topography with three distinct benches and slopes, leading to the formation of natural rainwater retention areas. Soil permeability varies, with coarse granular aquifers in lower elevations and mixed silts, clays and cobbles in higher areas. Promoting infiltration is vital for groundwater recharge in this dry climate.
Integrated Rainwater Management Plan
The Integrated Rainwater Management Plan incorporates climate modelling to assess and manage rainwater flows and volumes, ensuring sustainable development that respects natural hydrological processes and mitigates flood risks.
This approach supports campus resilience to climate variability and extreme weather events.