Temporary water use restrictions on the Coldwater River and its tributaries have been reinstated effective noon, Sept. 2, 2015, through an order issued by Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson.

With weather conditions expected to remain warm and dry, water users in the Lower Columbia, West Kootenay and East Kootenay regions are being urged to reduce water consumption, and the Government of B.C. has announced a Level 3 drought rating for the area.

B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick issued the following statement, about the Government of Canada's decision to grant tax deferrals to B.C livestock producers in regions affected by drought.

Responding to dry conditions, the Government of B.C. has announced a Level 3 drought rating for the South Thompson, Nicola, Similkameen, Okanagan-Kettle and Skagit regions.

The governments of Canada and British Columbia have renewed their water quantity monitoring agreement.