B.C. Limits Salmon River Water Use to Protect Chinook Salmon
The order covers 456 water licences and limits irrigation and other uses as drought and low streamflows threaten spawning chinook salmon.
- The British Columbia government issued a fish protection order for the Salmon River watershed, effective July 28, to safeguard endangered chinook salmon.
- Persistent, record-low streamflows in the Thompson-Okanagan region forced the government to escalate from voluntary conservation efforts as flows fell below minimum thresholds required for fish survival.
- The order restricts water use for 456 surface-water and groundwater licences, halting irrigation for forage crops including hay, alfalfa, and forage corn, as well as identified industrial activities.
- Ranchers Trudy and Warren Schweb of Schweb Family Cattle estimate purchasing feed could cost $1,500 to $1,700 daily, though the ministry offers support through the AgriService BC line.
- Provincial staff continue monitoring the watershed, with the ministry noting it may repeal the restriction if streamflow recovery proves sufficient to support fish populations.
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B.C. restricts water usage on Salmon River watershed amid 'severe' drought
The British Columbia government has issued an order affecting more than 450 water licenses to protect fish in the Salmon River watershed, saying the Thompson-Okanagan region has been wracked with "severe" drought.
Water restrictions imposed on farms, industry as Salmon River reaches critically low flows
The British Columbia government has issued an order affecting more than 450 water licenses to protect fish in the Salmon River watershed, saying the Thompson-Okanagan region has been wracked with "severe" drought.
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