Water Stewardship

Drought Information

While precipitation was plentiful in many areas of the province throughout the winter season, the drier than normal weather this spring has developed the potential for water supply problems this summer in the Okanagan, Nicola/Coldwater, Similkameen, and Kettle river basins. Normal or above normal rainfall for the rest of the summer period will be required to minimize water supply risks in those southern interior areas.

The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor the situation and the B.C. Government will share information on conditions throughout the province on the River Forecast Centre website and in the case of low stream flows, Information Bulletins will be distributed to water purveyors, local industry and stewardship groups in impacted geographic regions.

For more detailed information on precipitation trends, streamflows, and ground water conditions, the Ministry of Environment River Forecast Centre completes snow surveys and summary bulletins throughout the winter and spring and regularly provides updated graphs and commentaries about stream flow conditions all year, along with links to Environment Canada’s data.

How does Drought affect us in B.C.?

Drought conditions, such as low streamflows, reduced precipitation, and warmer temperatures, can impact communities and individuals in British Columbia in many different ways. For example, drought can lead to reduced supplies available for drinking water and household use, lower streamflows and warmer river temperatures for fish and other aquatic life, and can affect the growth of crops in our fields, orchards, and vineyards and limit the water available for irrigation. If adequate storage is not available in a community, it may also lead to insufficient supplies available for fire fighting.

What can I do?

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.

Resource Information

• Low Flow Newsletter
  • Info Bulletin - September 2006 - Nicola [pdf - 125kb]
  • Info Bulletin - September 2006 - Kootenay [pdf - 125kb]
  • Info Bulletin - September 2006 - Similkameen [pdf - 125kb]
• Dealing with Drought Handbook (1.2MB)
• Southern Interior Drought Management Workshop Proceedings - Mar 2-3, 2004 (765kb)
• Water Conservation Tips Brochure (684kb)
• Drought Planning for Agriculture
• Drought Monitoring
• Stream Flow/Snow Pack
• Provincial Drought Action Plan (March 2005) (124kb)
• Status of Community Water Supplies (Sept. 2003) (1.1MB)

Related Links

1. Ministry of Environment, Water Conservation
2. Water Sustainability in B.C.
3. Local Government Grants Program (MCS)
4. Emergency Planning Grant Program (UBCM/PEP) (Featured Policy Topics/New Provincial Programs)
5. Federal/Provincial Agriculture Water Supply Expansion Program (or http://www.agr.gc.ca/env)
6. Ministry of Forests and Range, fire hazard website
7. Environment Canada Seasonal Forecasts
8. Information on Climate Change
9. US National Water and Climate Centre
10. US National Drought Mitigation Centre , including planning for drought
11. Ontario Low Water Response Plan
12. Southern Nevada Water Authority
13. Canadian Water Resources Association
14. Ministry of Environment, Groundwater
15. Washington State Drought homepage
16. Washington Water Outlook Workshop (March 2005) presentations