Severe drought prompts B.C. order to protect Salmon River flows

The B.C. government has issued a temporary protection order affecting 456 surface-water and groundwater licences in the Salmon River watershed, citing severe drought in the Thompson-Okanagan. The Water Ministry says streamflow has remained persistently low despite significant voluntary conservation efforts.

The ministry says flows during the past week were well below the minimum threshold needed to support fish populations. The order, which took effect Tuesday, is intended to protect endangered chinook salmon.

Affected licence holders must stop using water to irrigate forage crops including hay, alfalfa and forage corn, as well as lawns and fairways, and for certain industrial purposes. The ministry says affected users will be contacted directly.

Water Minister Randene Neill said last week that drought had created record-low flows in some B.C. waterways, especially in the Okanagan. The ministry says programs are available to help with drought-related crop failure, lower income and increased costs.