Water Stewardship
Drought InformationWater Supply and Drought Level Bulletin – September, 2010
Summary: Recent rainfall has resulted in improved river levels in some regions of British Columbia. Most rivers on the south coast and southern interior are at normal levels. With the exception of the upper Columbia region, rivers in the Kootenays are also normal. The only region still classified as a Drought Level 3 (very dry conditions) is the Peace, where most streams remain at below-average levels. The Skeena-Nass region has been downgraded from a Drought Level 3 to a 2 (dry conditions) but the Bulkley and Nechako rivers are both still low. Fortune Creek in the southern interior continues to be low as well. British Columbians are encouraged to continue to conserve water in regions where individual streams are still low and fish populations need sufficient water flows to allow for successful spawning. In the Peace region, rainfall during August and the beginning of September improved river levels in most areas and all streams are now above their record minimum levels. The Halfway, Kiskatinaw and Osilinka rivers are at 10- to 20-year low flows while the Moberly River remains below 20-year low flows. After receiving less than average rainfall for June and July, Fort Nelson received above- normal rainfall for August. As a result, the Liard River has improved from near record low flows in mid-August to a five-year low flow for the current date. In the Skeena-Nass region, a frontal system during the first week of September brought sufficient rainfall to bring Nass River levels to normal and improve the Skeena River at Usk to a five-year return period low flow. The Bulkley River at Quick remains between a 10- and 20-year return period flows. The Nechako River is also quite low. On the Central Coast, river levels range from above median (Salloomt River) to five- to 10-year return period low flows (Bella Coola and Klinaklini rivers). In the central interior, average precipitation in August and early September has improved river levels in the Cariboo region (Quesnel River at Quesnel and Horsefly rivers) to five- to 10-year return period low flows. In the Upper Fraser, river levels continue to be at five- to 10-year return period low flows. In the southern interior, the Thompson, Similkameen and Okanagan area streams are generally between median and five-year return period low flows. In the Kootenay and lower Columbia areas, streamflow conditions are generally between median and five-year return period low flows. However, in the upper Columbia region, some river levels have demonstrated a steeper drop, falling to 10-year return period low flows, and in some cases to near record lows (Columbia River at Donald and Kicking Horse River). On Vancouver Island, most river levels are normal for this time of year. On the South Coast mainland, most streams are between median and five-year low flows. However, some streams in the Howe Sound area have fallen to 10- to 20-year return period flows (Elaho and Squamish rivers). Drought Level and Water Supply Conditions: The Peace region has now been classified as a Drought Level 3 (very dry) due to recent precipitation and current stream flows. The Skeena-Nass region is classified as a Drought Level 2 (dry). Potential for effects on fish and aquatic organisms due to low stream flows are still possible in these regions. Monitoring of stream flows and fish populations is ongoing. The upper Columbia region has been classified as a Drought Level 2, similar to the upper and middle Fraser River areas, as well as the mid-coastal area. All other regions are now classified as normal (Drought Level 1) for this time of year.
For additional information on water supply and streamflow conditions, go to:
http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/bulletins/.
Information Bulletins - AdvisoriesInformation Bulletin: Water Conservation Urged in Southern Interior 31 August 2010 ( Low Stream Flow Advisory – Skeena Region 23 July 2010 ( Low Stream Flow Advisory – Peace Region 20 July 2010 ( Information bulletin: Water Act Regulatory Action Initiated for Chimney Lakes ( Information bulletin: Water Supply Alert for Chimney Lakes (
How does Drought affect us in B.C.?Drought conditions can impact communities and individuals in many different ways. Drought can lead to reduced water availability for household and business use. Lower streamflows and warmer river temperatures may impact fish and other aquatic life. It can also affect the growth of agricultural crops and limit the water available for irrigation. If adequate storage is not available in a community, it may also lead to insufficient supplies for fire fighting.
What can I do?Water conservation is everyone's responsibility. Many communities in British Columbia are prepared to deal with low streamflow conditions with drought management plans and water conservation program already in place. We ask that all British Columbians support these efforts and to be stewards of their local water resource by conserving and protecting this vital resource for the environment, for our communities and for the many livelihoods that depend on our water.
Drought Response Planning in BC:The BC Government, in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, has completed a BC Drought Response Plan. This plan builds on existing tools and outlines the actions taken preceding, during and immediately following a drought to reduce its impacts. It includes communication steps required to ensure timely and appropriate action. Input from the regional drought planning workshops (March - May 2010) helped inform the response plan.
British Columbia Drought Response Plan (
Drought Level Classification:
Related Links:
| |
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
96kb) 
