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By Victor Kaisar

Drought Ratings

Kamloops-area drought ratings on the rise again as temperatures remain above seasonal

Sep 18, 2025 | 12:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — The drought rating in the Kamloops area continues to tick up as the region remains under a prolonged period of hot and dry – and sometimes record-breaking – weather.

According to new data from the B.C. River Forecast Centre, the South Thompson River basin is now at drought level 2, joining the North Thompson River basin which was moved to drought level 2 last week.

Both basins were at drought level 0 – the lowest possible level – in late August. Both basins were previously at drought level 2 this year – the North Thompson from June 26 to July 24 and the South Thompson from July 10 to July 17.

Drought levels in B.C. as of Sept. 18, 2025. (Image Credit: BC River Forecast Centre)

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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The Lower Thompson River basin was classified at drought level 2 while the Chilcotin river basin was downgraded to level 2, as of Thursday (Sept. 18). The Bridge and Clearwater river basins are also currently at drought level 2

Elsewhere, the Nicola, the Okanagan, the South Cariboo, and the Quesnel river basins are all currently at drought level 3, while the Similkameen River basin remains at drought level 4, the second highest possible rating.

“September is currently tracking as one of the warmest and driest on record,” the BC River Forecast said in a report

“Recent rainfall has led to improved drought conditions for coastal regions [but there is] little relief seen for interior of province, where conditions remain dry.”

The agency said while there is moderate to heavy rain expected Friday along the north and central coast of B.C., the interior and the northeast is expected to remain under “continued drought pressure.”

“Flows in Salmon River and Bessette Creek are stabilizing but remain below survival thresholds for Chinook salmon,” the River Forecast Centre added, noting the temporary protection orders remain in place for these systems.

“Many tributaries to the Okanagan River are below critical thresholds for the health of aquatic ecosystems. The Similkameen River remains historically low for this time of year while the Coquihalla and Chilliwack rivers are at record low flows.”