B.C. Drought

The Hugh Keenleyside Dam that created Arrow Lakes Reservoir near Castlegar, B.C., is shown in this undated handout photo. The dam was created as a result of the Canada-U. S. Columbia River Treaty. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, U.S. army corps of engineers northwestern division

Slow the flow: Shrinking water levels reveal holes in Columbia River Treaty

As efforts continue to redraw Canada/US agreement, concerns mount about climate change and drought

 

Trees burned by the Bush Creek East Wildfire are seen above Little Shuswap Lake in Squilax, B.C., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Experts say the province is yet to escape the repercussions of an exceptional year of hot, dry weather. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘Everywhere at once’: Parched B.C. still feeling effects of landmark drought

Despite recent rain, 15 of B.C.’s 34 water basins still at Level 4 or 5 stage drought

 

Catalyst Crofton has started the process of pumping water from Cowichan Lake over the weir to restore water levels in the Cowichan River. (Catalyst Crofton photo)

Pumping from Cowichan Lake into the Cowichan River begins

Another two weeks anticipated before a wet weather system arrives

 

Forests Minister Bruce Ralston speaks in Vancouver on Jan. 22, 2020. Ralston addressed some of the concerns in Westwold around a fish protection order during the province’s update on the wildfire and drought situation Sept. 13, 2023 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. forests minister asks for people to comply with fish protection orders

Ralston says salmon run would be wiped out without protection order in Westwold

Forests Minister Bruce Ralston speaks in Vancouver on Jan. 22, 2020. Ralston addressed some of the concerns in Westwold around a fish protection order during the province’s update on the wildfire and drought situation Sept. 13, 2023 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
British Columbia’s prolonged provincewide drought risks damaging the salmon population for generations and has led to a series of emergency, rapidly-deployed projects to try to intervene. Spawning salmon, are seen making their way up the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park near Chase, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. salmon swimming through summer sauna get emergency intervention

Pacific Salmon Foundation working hard to get through this year’s far-reaching crisis

British Columbia’s prolonged provincewide drought risks damaging the salmon population for generations and has led to a series of emergency, rapidly-deployed projects to try to intervene. Spawning salmon, are seen making their way up the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park near Chase, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap has burned an estimated 43,084 hectares as of Aug. 31, 2023. Because of severe drought conditions, if regions get too much rain too quickly this fall it could lead to flooding, but if there’s not enough rain the drought season could continue into 2024. (BC Wildfire Service)

Drought conditions in B.C. a ‘sleeping giant of a natural disaster’

But too much rain too quickly could lead to similar issues following the 2021 atmospheric rivers

The Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap has burned an estimated 43,084 hectares as of Aug. 31, 2023. Because of severe drought conditions, if regions get too much rain too quickly this fall it could lead to flooding, but if there’s not enough rain the drought season could continue into 2024. (BC Wildfire Service)
Catalyst Crofton will manage the pumping of water from Cowichan Lake into the Cowichan River. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Pumping of water into the Cowichan River to begin soon

Catalyst Crofton to manage pumping until water levels are naturally restored this fall

Catalyst Crofton will manage the pumping of water from Cowichan Lake into the Cowichan River. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Kookipi Creek wildfire, near Boston Bar, Boothroyd and Nahatlach Lake. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma and Forests Minister Bruce Ralston provided the latest update on the wildfire and drought siuation in the province Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (BC Wildfire Service/Facebook)

Disaster relief available for communities impacted by 2023 B.C. wildfires

It comes as more than 2.2 million hectares have burned in the province since April 1

Kookipi Creek wildfire, near Boston Bar, Boothroyd and Nahatlach Lake. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma and Forests Minister Bruce Ralston provided the latest update on the wildfire and drought siuation in the province Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (BC Wildfire Service/Facebook)
The We-Wai-Kai campsite, bordering Rebecca Spit Provincial Park on Quadra Island. (John McKinley file)

Quadra Islanders work to protect water in face of growing drought

Water security team works to get a handle on supply as supply grows more scarce year after year

The We-Wai-Kai campsite, bordering Rebecca Spit Provincial Park on Quadra Island. (John McKinley file)
Hot spots from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burn in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. extends state of emergency by 2 weeks to due wildfires, drought

27 of 34 water basins are at the highest drought levels

Hot spots from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burn in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Tyler Basham paints the grass outside a house in Maple Ridge, B.C. on Thursday, August 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Paint it green: B.C. firm offering lawns Mother Nature won’t allow

Tinted Turf Grass Solutions spray-painting away the browns of our ongoing drought

Tyler Basham paints the grass outside a house in Maple Ridge, B.C. on Thursday, August 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The province is temporarily restricting water use for industry and forage crops in the Koksilah River watershed, and the fishing closure on the Cowichan River will be extended, to help fish populations as the summer drought continues. (Citizen file photo)

Province restricts water use on Koksilah, Cowichan rivers as drought now at highest level

CVRD urges residents to use less water

The province is temporarily restricting water use for industry and forage crops in the Koksilah River watershed, and the fishing closure on the Cowichan River will be extended, to help fish populations as the summer drought continues. (Citizen file photo)
Creeks and rivers are running dry, prompting a Level 5 Drought rating for the Okanagan. (Okanagan WaterWise photo)

Okanagan drought rating heats up to highest, level 5

Fish-bearing streams at historical lows, several completely dry

Creeks and rivers are running dry, prompting a Level 5 Drought rating for the Okanagan. (Okanagan WaterWise photo)
The Eagle Bluff wildfire is seen burning from Anarchist Mountain, outside of Osoyoos, B.C., in a Saturday, July 29, 2023, handout photo. All evacuation orders have now been lifted around the southern British Columbia community that saw a wildfire burn to its doorstep late last month as flames swept north across the border from Washington state.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Melissa Genberg, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

B.C. gearing up for heat wave as majority of province remains in a drought

80% of B.C.’s water basins at severe drought levels

The Eagle Bluff wildfire is seen burning from Anarchist Mountain, outside of Osoyoos, B.C., in a Saturday, July 29, 2023, handout photo. All evacuation orders have now been lifted around the southern British Columbia community that saw a wildfire burn to its doorstep late last month as flames swept north across the border from Washington state.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Melissa Genberg, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Some farms who use groundwater from the Koksilah watershed without a water licence are being told to shut off their water as the severe drought continues. (B.C. government photo)

Island farmers without licences told to shut off water as drought threat grows

Province cracking down on scofflaws as water levels in Cowichan’s Koksilah watershed extremely low

Some farms who use groundwater from the Koksilah watershed without a water licence are being told to shut off their water as the severe drought continues. (B.C. government photo)
The red areas on the map from Aug. 3 show Drought Level 4 conditions, while the dark red areas show Drought Level 5. (Government of BC)

Drought conditions intensify in British Columbia

Much of B.C. at most severe drought conditions

The red areas on the map from Aug. 3 show Drought Level 4 conditions, while the dark red areas show Drought Level 5. (Government of BC)
Almost all of B.C. finds itself at the worst or second-worst level of drought, according to the most recent map tracking drought conditions in B.C. (Government of BC/Screencap)

Almost all of B.C. at worst or second-worst possible drought level

28 out of 34 water basins at Level 4 or Level 5 drought rating

Almost all of B.C. finds itself at the worst or second-worst level of drought, according to the most recent map tracking drought conditions in B.C. (Government of BC/Screencap)
B.C. farmers will once again be eligible to apply for funding through a joint federal-provincial program that helps producers adapt to climate change. The province announced Aug. 3, 2023 that $4 million will be available through the Beneficial Management Practices program, which aims to help farmers and ranchers throughout B.C. become more resilient and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment. (Pixabay)

B.C., Canada promise $4M to help farmers adapt to climate change, drought

Program aims to help producers with waste management, air-quality and emissions control

B.C. farmers will once again be eligible to apply for funding through a joint federal-provincial program that helps producers adapt to climate change. The province announced Aug. 3, 2023 that $4 million will be available through the Beneficial Management Practices program, which aims to help farmers and ranchers throughout B.C. become more resilient and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment. (Pixabay)
A bear forages near the Donnie Creek wildfire burning north of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Not just humans dealing with impacts of B.C.’s wildfires

Emergency Management Minister says climate change prolonging life of moths that feed on trees

A bear forages near the Donnie Creek wildfire burning north of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Canadian Armed Forces walk into the forest for their regular routine of ground sweeping and looking for wildfire hotspots Augier Road in Tintagel on July 26, 2023. B.C. Wildfire Service’s operations director says in his 21 years with the organization he’s “never felt the heaviness that we are feeling this season” as crews mourn two deaths in B.C. (Saddman Zaman/ Lakes District News photos)

‘It’s heavy’: Firefighter deaths weighing on B.C. wildfire crews

Operations director says some of the fires are too aggressive to put people in front of

Canadian Armed Forces walk into the forest for their regular routine of ground sweeping and looking for wildfire hotspots Augier Road in Tintagel on July 26, 2023. B.C. Wildfire Service’s operations director says in his 21 years with the organization he’s “never felt the heaviness that we are feeling this season” as crews mourn two deaths in B.C. (Saddman Zaman/ Lakes District News photos)