Home / Member News / Drought Level 5: Salmon River & Bessette Creek
As of August 18, Salmon River and Bessette Creek are being elevated to Drought Level 5, the most severe on the provincial drought level rating system.
There are new curtailment orders for the Salmon, Bessette, and Kettle drainages that effect agricultural irrigators. The diversion and use of water for irrigation by certain users in the Salmon River and Bessette Creek watersheds, their tributaries and hydraulically connected aquifers, must cease immediately until September 30.
The restriction orders do not apply to domestic water use or livestock watering. Nor do they apply to water users that are supplied by a water utility supported by water storage.
The restrictions are required to reduce the strain on aquatic life in these systems and restore flow volumes required to ensure the survival of culturally and economically important aquatic species like salmon.
As drought and water scarcity continues to rise for most of the southern half of British Columbia, Splatsin is reminding everyone of the concerns about water supply security for users and the environment.
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For more information, contact Territorial Water Manager, Robyn Laubman, at [email protected] or (250) 838-6496.