File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By The Canadian Press

Extreme Drought

B.C. puts fish protection orders in place as heat, drought persists

Aug 16, 2023 | 3:19 PM

BURNABY — The British Columbia government is putting fish protection orders in place for the Thompson Okanagan region as extreme drought conditions affect river levels and threaten the local salmon populations.

More than 80 per cent of the province has reached Level 4 or 5 drought conditions, the highest possible rankings, after months of little or no rain.

The government says the orders aim to protect spawning chinook salmon in the lower Salmon River and Bessette Creek by temporarily restricting water use for forage crops for about 400 surface and groundwater licence holders.

It says they must stop using water for forage crops, including grass for hay, alfalfa and corn to help restore water flow levels and protect the salmon runs.

The government says the order may be revoked if water flows recover, but affected farmers can access programs, such as the federal-provincial AgriStability program, which helps producers with drought-related income declines.

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Compounding the situation is a heat wave blanketing the southern half of the province with temperatures forecast between 35 C and 42 C in the Thompson Okanagan region.