Summary

• A temporary protection order has been issued for the Bessette Creek watershed in the Thompson Okanagan region to temporarily restrict water use, help protect Chinook salmon
• Despite significant voluntary conservation efforts, Bessette Creek has persistent low streamflow due to ongoing severe drought
• Programs offer farmers support for crop failure because of drought

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Ongoing severe drought conditions in the Thompson Okanagan region continue to cause low flows in Bessette Creek, putting endangered Chinook salmon at risk.

To help protect these fish, the Province has issued a fish population protection order that temporarily restricts water use for forage crops and certain mining and industrial purposes.

Government, local communities, farmers and other partners have been working together to support water conservation through voluntary measures. Despite significant efforts, water levels in Bessette Creek remain persistently low, threatening the survival of spawning Chinook salmon.

Declining flows in Bessette Creek reached record lows in early July 2026 and have remained below the minimum level required to support fish population survival.

Effective Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, 131 surface-water and groundwater licence holders and transitioning groundwater users in the Bessette Creek watershed must stop using water for:

• irrigation of forage crops
• crop harvesting, protection and composting
• greenhouses and nurseries
• processing ore
• vehicle and equipment needs
• well drilling, transportation and utility corridor management.

Forage crops, such as hay grass, alfalfa and forage corn, are among the most water-intensive agricultural crops.

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

The order is issued under the Water Sustainability Act to protect the survival of fish populations. Provincial staff will continue to monitor conditions. The order may be lifted if streamflows improve enough to support fish survival.

Supports for farmers

Programs are in place to offer support for crop failure due 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.

Since 2023, the Province has invested $120 million into the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program. The program is supporting more than 700 producer projects that will result in new or improved water storage and supply systems for irrigation and livestock in water-scarce and drought-prone areas.

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

Temporary protection orders

Each summer, the Province encourages voluntary water conservation measures through conversations with licence holders, multiple mailouts and social media. During times of water scarcity, the B.C. government can issue temporary protection orders under the Water Sustainability Act to protect fish populations and the aquatic ecosystem. Temporary protection orders are issued as a last resort, because of the impact on farmers and ranchers.

In recent years, the Province has worked with farmers, ranchers and business organizations in the 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 Bessette Creek, by monitoring the number of fish returning to spawn, restoring fish habitats and improving fish passage where barriers are encountered.

Learn More:

• To see the Seven-Day Streamflow for Bessette Creek, visit: https://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/lowflow/drought_interactive/08LC039.html
• To learn more about insurance and income-protection programs for B.C. farmers: Agriculture Insurance and Income Protection - Province of British Columbia
• 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 data and information (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