The drought map displays drought levels as they are currently observed, and are based on the River Forecast Centre's analysis of stream and snowpack levels and field verification by staff. Because of extremely low snowpacks in some regions and weather projections for warmer and drier than normal conditions in upcoming months, it is anticipated that some regions will likely experience significant water supply shortages in 2015. Regions most at risk for future water supply shortages include Vancouver Island, South Coast, Lower Fraser, and Southern Interior, but could include other regions as the season progresses. Communities, agriculture, and other water users are encouraged to plan for potential future shortages.
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September 18, 2023
Water use reduction order rescinded for Coldwater
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Temporary water use restrictions on the Coldwater River and its tributaries have
been rescinded effective noon, Sept. 18, 2015.
» Information bulletin: Water use reduction order rescinded for Coldwater
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September 16, 2023
Angling re-opened in the Okanagan Region
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The Government of B.C. is re-opening angling for streams and rivers in the
Okanagan Region due to lower water temperatures and increased flows.
» Information bulletin: Angling re-opened in the Okanagan Region
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September 2, 2023
Water use reduction order reinstated for Coldwater
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Temporary water use restrictions on the Coldwater River and its tributaries have
been reinstated effective noon, Sept. 2, 2015, through an order issued by Forests Lands and
Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson.
» Information bulletin: Water use reduction order reinstated for Coldwater
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August 26, 2023
Horsefly River re-opened for angling
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The Government of B.C. is re-opening angling in the classified waters section
of the Horsefly River, effective today, due to cooling water temperatures.
» Information bulletin: Horsefly River re-opened for angling
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August 24, 2023
Drought affects your well
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Private well owners and water suppliers using wells are being urged to continue to conserve water as dry conditions persist on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the South Coast, and across the Southern Interior and the Kootenays.
» Fact sheet: Drought affects your well
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August 21, 2023
Fishing closure announced for Lower Mamquam
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The Government of B.C. is suspending angling on the Lower Mamquam River due to
conservation concerns and low flows.
» Information bulletin: Fishing closure announced for Lower Mamquam
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August 17, 2023
Increased flows on Nicola River to help salmon
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To assist spawning salmon, the Province has released a pulse of water from storage
into the Nicola River.
» Information bulletin: Increased flows on Nicola River to help salmon
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August 17, 2023
North Thompson drought level increased
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Responding to continuing dry conditions, the Government of B.C. has announced a
Level 4 drought rating for the North Thompson Region due to ongoing low stream flows.
» Information bulletin: North Thompson drought level increased
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August 7, 2023
Water conservation urged for Kootenay Columbia region
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With weather conditions expected to remain warm and dry, water users in the
Lower Columbia, West Kootenay and East Kootenay regions are being urged to reduce water
consumption, and the Government of B.C. has announced a Level 3 drought rating for the area.
» Information bulletin: Water conservation urged for Kootenay Columbia region
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August 7, 2023
Water conservation urged for Middle Fraser
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With weather conditions expected to remain warm and dry, water users in the
Middle Fraser region (which includes the Cariboo and Chilcotin) are being urged to reduce
water consumption, and the Government of B.C. has announced a Level 3 drought rating for
the area.
» Information bulletin: Water conservation urged for Middle Fraser
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August 5, 2023
Water conservation urged as final Okanagan area increases drought rating
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Responding to continuing dry conditions, the Government of B.C. has announced a Level 4 drought rating for the Okanagan Region, and taken the additional action of suspending angling on the Okanagan River (main-stem only) between Okanagan Lake and Osoyoos Lake due to warming water temperatures.
» Information bulletin: Water conservation urged as final Okanagan area increases drought rating
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August 5, 2023
Water conservation urged for North Thompson
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With weather conditions expected to remain warm and dry, water users in the North Thompson region are being urged to reduce water consumption, and the Government of B.C. has announced a Level 3 drought rating for the area.
» Information bulletin: Water conservation urged for North Thompson
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July 31, 2023
Water use reduction order to protect fish
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To protect coho, chinook and steelhead populations in the Coldwater River, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson has issued temporary water use restrictions on the river and its tributaries effective midnight Friday, July 31, 2015.
» Information bulletin: Water use reduction order to protect fish
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July 27, 2023
Drought level increased in four areas of southern B.C.
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Responding to continuing dry conditions, the Government of B.C. has announced a
Level 4 drought rating for the South Thompson, Similkameen, Kettle and Skagit areas due to
ongoing low stream flows.
» Information bulletin: Drought level increased in four areas of southern B.C.
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July 21, 2023
Water conservation urged and fishing closures implemented in the Nicola
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Responding to continuing dry conditions, the Government of B.C. has announced a
Level 4 drought rating for the Nicola Region, and taken the additional action of suspending
angling on the Nicola River, Coldwater River and Spius Creek in the Nicola region, due to
warming water temperatures.
» Information bulletin: Water conservation urged and fishing closures implemented in the Nicola
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July 20, 2023
Fishing closures announced for South Coast
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The Government of B.C. is suspending angling in streams and rivers throughout most of the South Coast due to warming water temperatures and low stream flows.
» News release: Fishing closures announced for South Coast
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July 20, 2023
South Coast/Lower Fraser drought level increased
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Responding to dry conditions, the Government of B.C. has announced a Level 4
drought rating for the South Coast and Lower Fraser areas due to ongoing low stream flows.
» Information bulletin: South Coast/Lower Fraser drought level increased
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July 10, 2023
Fishing closures part of comprehensive drought response
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Responding to dry conditions, the Government of B.C. has announced a Level 3
drought rating for the South Thompson, Nicola, Similkameen, Okanagan-Kettle and Skagit
regions, and taken the additional action of suspending angling in streams and rivers throughout
the South Okanagan due to ongoing low stream flows and warming water temperatures.
» News release: Fishing closures announced for Horsefly River
(July 10, 2023)
» Information bulletin: Fishing closures part of comprehensive drought response
(July 10, 2023)
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July 3, 2023
Fishing closures part of comprehensive drought response
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Responding to dry conditions, the Government of B.C. has issued a Level 4 drought rating for Vancouver Island, and taken the additional action of suspending angling in streams and rivers throughout southern Vancouver Island due to ongoing low stream flows and warming water temperatures.
» News release: Fishing closures part of comprehensive drought response
(July 3, 2023)
» Island Health
information on how water suppliers can prepare for drought
(June 2015)
» Map of the areas covered by the stream and river angling closures
(July 3, 2023)
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June 30, 2023
Water conservation urged for South Coast/Lower Fraser
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Information Bulletin: Water conservation urged for South Coast/Lower Fraser
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June 8, 2023
Islanders urged to conserve water
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Information Bulletin: Islanders urged to conserve water
For additional information, including the latest bulletins and advisories, please visit the River Forecast Centre.
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