BC’s provincial government has elevated the drought rating for Powell River and every coastal community from the Alaska border to the Lower Mainland to Level 3.
Skeena, Nass and Stikine basins in the northwest, Haida Gwaii, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are also included.
The Monday, July 30, announcement from BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development calls for voluntary water conservation from all surface-water and groundwater users, including municipal, agricultural and industrial users.
In a statement, the ministry said staff will continue to monitor river levels if warm temperatures continue to negatively impact stream flows and water supplies.
If Level 3 voluntary reductions of water use are not sufficient to maintain flows above critical levels, the ministry may consider regulating water usage under the Water Sustainability Act.
At Level 4, the highest drought rating, specific actions include temporary suspension of water licences or short-term water approvals to restore flows to minimum critical levels in affected streams.
Currently, a number of important fish-bearing streams on Vancouver Island are approaching critical flow thresholds for ecosystems and fish, according to the statement.
An updated weather alert from Environment Canada forecasts the prolonged heat wave, with temperatures reaching an average 29 degrees, to likely end on Tuesday, July 31, and drop to seasonal highs of 21.7 with a chance of showers.
