As severe drought conditions continue to affect river levels in the Thompson Okanagan region, fish-population protection orders will protect endangered chinook salmon in the Salmon River and Bessette Creek by temporarily restricting water use for forage crops and identified industrial purposes.

The Salmon River and Bessette Creek have seen persistent low streamflows that are threatening the survival of spawning chinook populations. The fish-population protection orders will help restore water-flow levels and protect the salmon run.

Effective Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, 490 surface-water and groundwater licences and transitioning groundwater users in the Salmon River and Bessette Creek watersheds within the assessed curtailment area are affected by the orders to stop using water for forage crops, which include grass for hay, alfalfa and forage corn. Irrigation of forage crops is one of the most water-intensive agricultural water uses. Nineteen licences are also affected by the order for the Salmon River watershed to stop using water for lawns, fairways and garden industrial purposes.

The orders do not apply to authorized water use for purposes other than irrigation for feed crops and industrial lawn, fairway and garden.

Affected water users will be contacted directly with a copy of the signed order. Affected licence numbers and application numbers for transitioning groundwater users are identified in the orders.

Temporary protection orders are issued as a last resort, recognizing the impact on farmers and ranchers. In recent years, the Province has worked with farmers, ranchers and business organizations in the Salmon River and Bessette Creek area to find long-term, proactive solutions to improve water security in drought-prone watersheds.  Since 2019, the Province has jointly funded 170 projects in B.C. through the $285.5-million B.C. Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund to support priority fish populations in drought-sensitive watersheds, such as Salmon River and Bessette Creek, by monitoring the number of fish returning to spawn, restoring fish habitats and improving fish passage where barriers are encountered.

Throughout summer, the Province encouraged voluntary water-conservation measures through on-the-ground engagement, multiple mailouts and social media. Thanks to the efforts of farmers, this year’s order is later in the growing season compared to previous years.

Programs are in place to offer support for crop failure owing to drought as well as income declines and increased costs. Ministry of Agriculture and Food staff are available to help producers with their questions or claims. The Province has invested $100 million into the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program since 2023, which is supporting more than 500 producer projects and 25 community-led projects that will result in new or improved water storage and supply systems for irrigation and livestock in water-scarce and drought-prone areas.

The orders are made under the Water Sustainability Act for the purpose of avoiding significant or irreversible harm to aquatic ecosystems. Provincial staff are monitoring the situation and working to balance water uses with environmental flow needs. An order may be repealed if streamflow recovery is sufficient to protect the survival of fish populations.

Any farmers or ranchers directly affected by the current drought are encouraged to contact the AgriService BC line at 1 888 221-7141.

Learn More:

To learn more about the ministerial orders for water restrictions, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/water/drought-flooding-dikes-dams/drought-information/wsa-tpo

To learn more about the drought portal (maps, tables), visit: https://droughtportal.gov.bc.ca/  

To learn more about drought and agriculture: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/agricultural-land-and-environment/water/drought-in-agriculture  

To learn more about insurance and income-protection programs for B.C. farmers: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs#Insurance