CFJC File Photo

By Victor Kaisar

Interior Drought

Kamloops-area drought rating intensifies as North and South Thompson basins reach level 3

Oct 2, 2025 | 4:27 PM

KAMLOOPS — The drought ratings on the North and South Thompson River basins continue to tick up following what was the warmest September on record in the Kamloops area.

According to new data from the B.C. River Forecast Centre, the South Thompson River basin is at drought level 3 as of Thursday (Oct. 2), joining the North Thompson River basin which was moved to drought level 3 last week.

Both river basins were at drought level 0 – the lowest possible level – in late August.

In Kamloops, enhanced water restrictions kick in if the South Thompson River reaches drought level 4, with more severe restrictions in effect at drought level 5. The city has not reached those levels after new year-round water restrictions were implemented last year.

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Last year, the South Thompson River peaked at drought level 3 between Aug. 15 and Aug. 29.

“Drought is continuing or worsening across much of the northeast, Central Interior and Southern Interior basins,” the River Forecast Centre said in its latest bulletin. “Recent and ongoing fall storms have brought drought relief across much of the coast. Some northern and Central Interior regions have seen improving streamflow.”

“Flows in the Southern Interior remain low despite some rain over the past week.”

Drought levels in B.C. as of Oct. 2, 2025. (Image Credit: BC River Forecast Centre)

The data shows the Clearwater, South Cariboo and Okanagan River basins are also at drought level 3, while the Nicola and the Similkameen basins are at drought level 4, the second-highest possible rating.

Elsewhere, the Quesnel, Chilcotin and Lower Thompson basins remain at drought level 2, while the Bridge River basin is at drought level 0.

“Fall storms will continue to bring heavy rain to the coast this week,” the River Forecast Centre added. “Limited rain or storm spillover expected for many Interior regions, with drought expected to worsen.”

“A shift to drier weather [is] expected next week across much of the province.”