B.C. government announces highest-level drought rating for province’s South Coast and Lower Fraser areas

The government of British Columbia announced on Wednesday a Level 4 drought rating for the province’s South Coast and Lower Fraser areas due to ongoing low stream flows.

At Level 4 (Red), conditions are extremely dry and water supply is considered “insufficient to meet socio-economic and ecosystem needs.” Further declines in stream, lake and aquifer levels could lead to water shortages and affect people, industries such as agriculture and wildlife and fish stocks, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said in a press release. [click image below to enlarge]

The establishment of a Level 4 drought advisory signals that regional water managers may take additional regulatory actions if they are deemed necessary, the release noted. Any such actions will be site-specific depending on individual stream conditions. Specific actions could include the temporary suspension of short-term water approvals or water licences in affected watersheds if necessary.

Ministry water management staff will continue to monitor conditions, work closely with First Nations, local governments and key stakeholders, and provide updates as the need arises, the release said. [click image below to enlarge]

Both the Lower Mainland and South Fraser drought ratings were last adjusted on June 30, when they were increased to Level 3, the ministry noted. While some rivers in the Howe Sound and Squamish areas are near normal for the time of year, other streams in the South Coast and Lower Fraser are well below normal.

The ministry noted that when the Water Sustainability Act (WSA) comes into force next year, additional provisions will enable government to better respond to drought conditions. For example, the government can modify the current priority system of water rights to make allowances for essential household need up the 250 litres per person per day and the authority to temporarily regulate water use during droughts to protect critical environmental flows.