Drought conditions expected to worsen as heat wave approaches early next week

KAMLOOPS — Representatives from the province took questions on worsening drought conditions across B.C. at the province’s media availability on Thursday (August 10). Officials are taking extra precautions with a heat wave expected to roll through southern B.C. beginning next week.

Both the North and South Thompson Rivers are currently experiencing level-five drought conditions, while the Lower Thompson is in level–four drought. Last week, the Noble Creek Irrigation System, which is located along the North Thompson River in Westsyde, failed when the water level dropped below the level of the intake.

“Not only is Noble Creek dealing with this, but we are seeing an increase in works being exposed, as those streamflows reach the lowest flows on record,” Connie Chapman, with the Ministry of Forests Water Management Branch, explains. “We will likely see more of this as we continue to deal with the current drought season. It’s one of the things where I know many individuals are working within the space to see what the solutions may be as we have intakes exposed further.”

Farmers and ranchers are both struggling with the lack of water, as crops are suffering and feed for animals won’t be as readily available. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is looking at options to help alleviate these issues.

“We are working with producers in areas that are affected by irrigation, whether it’s voluntary or mandatory,” Michelle Koski with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food explains. “We are putting some supports in place and helping them with some information on water purveying and cistern suppliers. We’re also working really hard to mitigate the impacts of the feed shortage and increase to prices of feed.”