Drought continues to impact parts of Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands

Drought and water scarcity continues to impact most of the southern half of British Columbia, including parts of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

For the last five weeks, the southern half of the province has seen little to no rainfall, with continued dry weather in the forecast.

Many freshwater angling closures are also in place throughout BC, due to increased stress to fish from low flows and high water temperatures.

“Water conservation is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone needs to do their part to conserve water resources, to reduce the risk of impacts on the environment and other water users,” said the provincial government.

The Eastern Vancouver Island Basin and Gulf Islands are currently in a level four drought. Western Vancouver Island is under a level three drought.

In these areas, adverse impacts of drought on people, fish or ecosystems are likely.

British Columbia ranks drought levels from 0 to 5. Drought Level 5 is rated as the most severe, with adverse impacts to socioeconomic or ecosystem values being almost certain.

All water users in affected areas need to reduce their water use wherever possible and observe all watering restrictions from their local/regional government, water utility provider or irrigation district.

The Province says that, if conservation measures do not achieve sufficient results and drought conditions worsen, temporary protection orders under the Water Sustainability Act may be issued to water licensees, to avoid significant or irreversible harm to aquatic ecosystems.