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WSD Home > Public Safety > Drought Information Drought Information Beginning with the intense mid-May heat and early snowmelt, precipitation over the summer months was below normal across the majority of the Province. Due to the extremely low flow conditions, the Ministry of Environment distributed advisories to the communities and water users in three regions in September: the Thompson-Nicola, the Kootenays, and the Similkameen (see info bulletins listed under “Resources” below). With the exception of some coastal areas, the summer pattern continues with rainfall in the first part of October being marginal. Most rivers are well below their median flows for this time of year, and many rivers are experiencing record low flows. Night time temperatures in most of the B.C. Interior are now falling to below freezing. If significant rainfall does not occur in the next 3-4 weeks, precipitation may occur as snow and rivers will remain at their low levels for the duration of the winter. 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
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