Special Bulletin For water users in the
Nicola watershed | This special bulletin provides an update on drought conditions and water levels in the Nicola watershed only | Overview Streamflows in the Nicola watershed are at record lows for this time of year and are dropping towards levels that put fish and the health of streams at risk. In response, the Nk’eʔxép Management Committee under the Nicola Watershed Governance Partnership, a formal collaboration between the Province of BC and the Nicola 5 First Nations Governments, is sending letters to large water users asking them to save water and cut back their water use voluntarily, in hopes of improving water levels and conserving existing storage. To lower water demands in the watershed, the Nk’eʔxép Management Committee is asking agricultural water users to take part in coordinated irrigation scheduling. The schedule will run from August 1-16 and conditions will be reassessed after that time. Irrigators are being provided a letter that details a 4-on/4-off schedule. By following the irrigation schedule and cutting back where you can, you will be helping all water users in the Nicola Valley. These actions may not bring streamflows back to normal, but they can help keep flows from getting worse. In times like these, cooperation across the whole watershed will make the biggest difference. | Figure 1 Map of affected areas of the Nicola watershed | What are the current conditions in the Nicola watershed? | - Provincial drought levels cover large areas and may not match what is happening locally. In 2026, the Province and Nicola 5 First Nations partnered through the Nicola Watershed Governance Partnership to test a new way of tracking water scarcity. It covers the Coldwater River, and the Upper and Lower Nicola watersheds. The Nicola Water Scarcity Framework is used to assess risks across each of the watersheds, drawing on local indicators and values. Each week, a dedicated shared-decision making committee sets water scarcity levels (low, medium, or high) to make sure people are aware of conditions and to encourage voluntary actions to save water.
- Monitoring through the Nicola Water Scarcity Framework shows that several key watershed indicators are getting worse. Streamflows and lake levels have dropped, water temperatures are rising, and the seasonal weather outlook is not promising. Nicola Lake is currently releasing water at minimal levels, and other lakes and storage across the watershed are also low. Together, these indicators show that water scarcity has grown more serious and that additional conservation measures are needed.
| The graph above is for the Nicola River at Outlet of Nicola Lake (08LG065) dam outlet, where releases have been at minimum levels due to the lake not refilling overwinter. The graph shows 2026 daily stream flow (solid black line), median streamflow (solid light grey line), and historical streamflow percentiles (as of July 19, 2026), in cubic meters per second (cms). Without a good amount of rain or drop in water use, streamflows like these across the Nicola Valley may fall to levels that can harm fish. | Where can I find more information about drought and drought levels? For more information on B.C.’s drought and water scarcity levels, visit the BC Drought Information Portal – About page. | What actions are being taken by the Nk’eʔxép Management Committee in the Nicola watershed? | - Because of the worsening conditions in the Nicola, the Nk’eʔxép Management Committee is sending letters to large water users in the Nicola watershed asking them to voluntarily use less water. Agricultural water users are also being asked to work together by following a coordinated irrigation schedule.
- If you hold a surface or groundwater licence in the Nicola, you can expect to get a voluntary water use reduction letter and an irrigation schedule in the mail shortly.
- When water users voluntarily cut back on water use and work together, it can make a big difference to streamflows. Individuals and communities can play a key role in delaying or even preventing the need for further regulatory actions, like Nicola Valley farmers have done successfully in the past.
| What can agricultural water users do in response to the current drought conditions? | Efforts by all water users, including agricultural users, can help to delay or even prevent the need for further management actions. Farmers can: - Use efficient irrigation techniques to lower water demand. Keep your system in good shape by regularly maintaining and repairing it to make sure it is operating efficiently (check for leaks, inspect nozzles often, and apply water wisely).
- Monitor crop and soil conditions, prioritize irrigating crops at critical growth stages, reduce how much of your acreage is irrigated where possible, and work with other irrigators to stagger watering schedules through coordinated irrigation scheduling. This eases pressure on local water sources.
- If you hold a storage licence and have stored water available, use that instead of taking straight from streams and wells.
- Review your AgriStability participation and maintain detailed records of drought-related impacts, including reduced production or sales, and operating costs. Producers who are not currently enrolled should monitor the AgriStability webpage for updates on whether late participation will be offered for the 2026 program year.
- Find upcoming events, like townhalls, workshops and field days, at the AgriService BC Events page.
| Who do I contact if I have questions? | AgriService BC connects farmers, food processors and new entrants to agricultural services, programs and information that can help them succeed. | | | | | |
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