Date: July 29, 2015

To: Similkameen Watershed Water Licence Holders

Re: Low Water Advisory and Water Conservation Request

Responding to the continued dry conditions, the Province of BC is announcing a Level 4 drought for the Similkameen watershed based on declining steam flows. Aligning with the Provincial Drought Response Plan, the target under Drought Level 4 conditions is defined as increased voluntary conservation, potential restrictions and regulatory actions if required. All licensed surface water users are reminded of the 30% voluntary reduction from the Level 3 Drought letter sent July 20, 2015 and are advised regulatory actions are being prepared in the event these conditions continue.

The extremely low water levels in the Similkameen watershed are threatening a number of fish populations. Sport fish impacted by low summer water levels include mountain whitefish and rainbow trout.

Continued normal water withdrawals from the Similkameen watershed will exacerbate the highly stressful conditions on these fish populations thus reducing all water use is important.

Further, curtailing specific types of water use is critical, including licensed surface water withdrawals for irrigation, processing, mining and waterworks purposes from streams not supported by licenced storage. If your water licence is supported by storage, please ensure no additional water is stored outside the licence terms (usually June 15 or 30) by releasing all inflows along with the licenced downstream demand. If you have any questions about water licensing in the Similkameen Watershed, please contact the Okanagan Shuswap Natural Resource District at 250-558-1700.

Groundwater extraction from aquifers that are hydrologically connected to a stream generally include wells completed in unconfined sand and gravel aquifers where the intake is not separated from the surface water body by a confining (e.g. clay) layer. Your voluntary compliance in reducing use from these sources is important for maintaining cool groundwater inputs into streams in the Similkameen watershed this summer, and for preventing long-term groundwater level declines in the aquifer. If you have any questions about your well, local aquifers, or groundwater use in your area, please contact the Thompson/Okanagan Regional Groundwater Staff at 250-490-2285 for the Groundwater Protection Officer or at 250-490-8265 for the Regional Hydrogeologist.

We appreciate your consideration to the ecosystem and understand the hardships that may be encountered by reducing water use.

Many thanks,

Robert Warner

A/District Manager

Okanagan Shuswap Natural Resource District

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations / Okanagan Shuswap
Natural Resource District / Address:
2501 14 Ave
Vernon, BC V1T 8Z1 / Tel: (250)558-1700