B.C.’s Dam Safety Program moved forward under new legislation that strengthens the ability of dam safety staff to inspect, audit and remediate more than 1,800 regulated dams in the province, according to the 2015-16 B.C. Dam Safety Program Annual Report.

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Oregon Governor Kate Brown, Washington Governor Jay Inslee today issued the following statement on the final day of the United Nations Climate Conference in Marrakesh, Morocco (COP22):

The governments of Canada and British Columbia announced changes to the AgriInsurance - Production Insurance program that will help B.C. tree-fruit growers manage the risk of crop losses by hail, spring frost, excessive rain, flooding, drought and wind. 

The Province will allow the freshwater fishing season in rivers and streams on southern Vancouver Island to go ahead, starting Sept. 16.

Despite normal flows for many streams and Level 1 drought conditions elsewhere within the Nicola region, low flows in the Coldwater River system are nearing Level 4, or “extremely dry,” drought conditions.

As a result of prolonged dry conditions along the coast, the Province is urging water users in the Skeena and Nass regions to voluntary reduce water use by 30%.

Because of dropping stream and groundwater levels, the Province is urging everyone on Haida Gwaii to voluntarily reduce water use by 30%.

In response to low rainfall and record high temperatures across southern and eastern Vancouver Island, the Province is putting residents on the highest drought alert and closing most streams and rivers to angling.

Most streams and rivers on Vancouver Island are currently experiencing very low flows similar to this time last year.