File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters / The Canadian Press

Snowpack and Drought

With snowpack melted weeks ahead of schedule, Province raises drought level in parts of B.C.

Jun 7, 2019 | 3:57 PM

VICTORIA — Dry conditions across B.C. have prompted the provincial government to issue a Level 2 drought rating province-wide, with the rating up to Level 3 for Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and northeastern B.C.

The drought rating of Level 3 means conditions are very dry, prompting a request for voluntary reductions of water use by residents, on farms and by industry.

The move comes as the latest snowpack bulletin from the B.C. River Forecast Centre (BCRFC) shows alarming low snowpack totals throughout the province.

For measurements taken on June 1, BCRFC found a provincial average of 39 per cent of normal snowpack.

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BCRFC’s Dave Campbell says the snow is essentially gone in most areas, so fluctuations in readings don’t mean too much. Campbell says the melt is weeks ahead of schedule.

“We had a really warm May, and that’s really promoted accelerated snowmelt. So the numbers, while they’re low, what that’s really reflecting is the fact that the snow has melted really rapidly this year and melted out early — probably as much as three weeks early in some places.”

Campbell says not surprisingly, the spring freshet is also well ahead of schedule — as much as six weeks. Campbell says Shuswap Lake and the South Thompson River are typically among the last waterways to peak each spring, and that is happening right now.

“This is where the low snowpack to start with is playing a role as well. So we’re as much as a month or six weeks ahead of normal — the flow that we’re seeing right now,” he said. “I think that’s a concern as we go forward; we’re just losing that influence of the snow early. Risks for low flow this summer are certainly increased across the province.”

Not only do low flows spell trouble for the upcoming B.C. wildfire season, Campbell says they can mean increased fish mortality throughout the summer, and problems for smaller water systems.

“Well-managed water systems with reservoirs tend to be well-planned and can use storage to make their way through the summer,” said Campbell. “Those areas where there maybe isn’t storage is where the concern would be.”

The government says in areas with the Level 3 drought code, it may consider regulating water use under the Water Sustainability Act.

Residents in those areas are urged to limit outdoor watering, take shorter showers and install water-efficient devices.