Osoyoos Lake Summer Conditions Update

The International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control (the Board) is providing an update on current lake levels and ongoing drought-related water-management actions for Osoyoos Lake. Read the full news release.

News Release
Osoyoos Lake Summer Conditions Update

The International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control (the Board) is providing an update on current lake levels and ongoing drought-related water-management actions for Osoyoos Lake. Read the full news release.

News Release
Drought Conditions Declared for Osoyoos Lake Operations

The International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control (the Board) has declared drought conditions for Osoyoos Lake under the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) 2013 Supplementary Order of Approval.
Read the full news release here:

News Release
Drought Conditions Declared for Osoyoos Lake Operations

The International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control (the Board) has declared drought conditions for Osoyoos Lake under the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) 2013 Supplementary Order of Approval.
Read the full news release here:

News Release
IJC grants temporary operational variance to restore Osoyoos Lake levels

Osoyoos lake levels reached historical lows this winter following unusually dry conditions across the region. As a result the International Joint Commission (IJC) has approved a temporary operating variance for Zosel Dam to manage the levels.
Read the full news release

News Release

International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control

The International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control (Board) was established by Order of the International Joint Commission (IJC) dated 12 September 1946 to ensure the implementation of the provisions of that Order relative to the alteration and operation of Zosel Dam. Zosel Dam was built in 1927 on the Okanogan River 2.7 km (1.7 mi) below Osoyoos Lake by the Zosel Lumber Company to create a log storage pond.

On January 31, 2013, The International Joint Commission announced that it had issued a Supplementary Order of Approval renewing the State of Washington’s authority to operate Zosel Dam and making minor modifications in how water levels on Osoyoos Lake will be managed.

Supplementary Order of Approval 2013-01-29

Please refer to the reports section of the website for more information on studies related to the Order renewal process and other documents of relevance to the Board of Control, including annual Board reports to the IJC. The records section of the Reports page contains records of past Board meetings and relevant IJC Orders of Approval for Osoyoos Lake.

About the Board

News Release

May 27, 2026

Ice jams are accumulations of ice that partially block water from flowing downstream and can cause challenges to the operation of control structures such as the Zosel Dam at the outlet of Osoyoos Lake. Ice jams form at the shallow outlet of Osoyoos Lake during certain winter conditions. A new U.S...