Responding to continuing warm and dry conditions, the Province has announced a Level 4 drought rating for the Similkameen, Nicola, and Salmon River watersheds, while a Level 3 drought rating has been set for the Okanagan watershed.

The Province is urging all surface water and groundwater users, including residents, industry, farmers and municipalities, to voluntarily reduce water consumption. A Level 4 drought rating recommends maximum reduction of water use, while a Level 3 drought rating calls for reducing water use by 30%.

With continued warm, dry weather in the forecast, stream flows are expected to continue to drop, providing additional stress for fish as well as reducing water supplies for water users.

The Province has elevated the Similkameen, Nicola, and Salmon watersheds to Drought Level 4 because conditions are extremely dry and stream flows are approaching critical environmental low flow thresholds for fish populations, including Chinook salmon.

In the Okanagan watershed, while some streams and lakes have adequate flows, a number of streams are experiencing low flows that are that are impacting water users and fish, including returning adult salmon.

If voluntary reductions of water use are not sufficient to maintain flows above critical levels, the ministry may consider regulating water usage under the Water Sustainability Act. Specific actions could include the temporary suspension of water licences or short-term water approvals to restore flows to minimum critical levels in the impacted streams. Ministry staff are in the process of directly contacting water users in critical watersheds to encourage water conservation and to advise of potential water regulation. In particular, water conservation is expected to benefit the Salmon River, where low flows are impacting migrating Chinook salmon.

Local water conservation bylaws may differ from provincial water conservation targets, due to local water supply and demand, and the availability of storage (lakes and reservoirs) or groundwater. Residential, agricultural and industrial water users who are located within municipalities and regional districts are encouraged to observe local water conservation bylaws where they exist.

Water conservation is everyone’s responsibility. Many communities in B.C. are prepared to deal with water supply shortages and low stream flow conditions and have drought management plans and water conservation programs already in place.

Water conservation tips:

At home:

• Limit outdoor watering.
• Don’t water during the heat of the day or when it’s windy.
• Consider planting drought-tolerant vegetation.
• Take shorter showers.
• Don’t leave the tap running.
• Install water-efficient showerheads, taps and toilets.

On the farm:

• Implement an irrigation scheduling program using real-time weather data.
• Schedule irrigation to match crop needs and soil storage capacity.
• Improve water system efficiencies and check for leaks.
• Focus on high-value crops and livestock.

Industry:

• Reduce non-essential water use.
• Recycle water used in industrial operations.
• Use water-efficient methods and equipment.

Learn More

2017 B.C. Drought Information Portal: http://arcg.is/1W9SMZv

B.C. Drought Response Plan: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/water/drought-info/drought-response-plan-update-june-2015.pdf

BC Drought and Agriculture: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/agricultural-land-and-environment/water/drought-in-agriculture

Nicola River flow data (Above Nicola Lake): https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=08LG049

Salmon River flow data (Salmon Arm): https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=08LE021

Similkameen River flow data (at Princeton): https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=08NL007