Government of British Columbia announces severe drought rating for four areas

The government of British Columbia announced a Level 4 drought rating on Monday for the South Thompson, Similkameen, Kettle and Skagit areas due to ongoing low stream flows.

At Level 4 (Red), conditions are extremely dry. Further declines in stream, lake and aquifer levels could lead to water shortages and affect people, industry such as agriculture, wildlife, and fish stocks, the province’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said in a statement. All water users, including those who access groundwater, are urged to maximize their water conservation efforts.

The establishment of a Level 4 drought advisory signals that regional water managers may take additional “regulatory actions if they are deemed necessary.” For example, specific actions could include the temporary suspension of water licences or short-term water approvals 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 statement said. [click image below to enlarge]

Drought ratings for the South Thompson, Similkameen, Kettle and Skagit areas were last adjusted on July 10, when they were increased to Level 3. The Okanagan area remained at Level 3 as of Monday.

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

In mid-July, the government issued the same Level 4 drought rating for the province’s South Coast and Lower Fraser areas. Drought has also recently affected Sturgeon, Parkland and Mackenzie Counties in Alberta.

The statement added that the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture is working with the federal government and the agriculture industry to plan for climate change and extreme weather conditions and that partnership has resulted in regional agriculture climate adaptation strategies for several regions of the province including the Cariboo, Peace, Okanagan-Thompson, Lower Mainland, and Cowichan Valley areas.