Special Bulletin

Request 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

Streamflow in the Nicola River is currently the lowest recorded for this time of year. Flows have reached levels that threaten the survival of fish populations, particularly Chinook Salmon, and may impair the long-term health of aquatic ecosystems throughout the watershed.

In response, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship in collaboration with the Nk’eʔxép Management Committee is contacting licensed and approved water users in the watershed and encouraging them to reduce or cease water use wherever possible. These voluntary conservation efforts can help protect remaining streamflows and reduce impacts on fish and aquatic habitat during this critical period.

When water users and communities conserve water, more water remains in the river to support fish and ecosystem needs. Voluntary reductions in water use may also help delay or prevent the need for additional regulatory measures should drought conditions worsen. This includes wells, as surficial (shallow) aquifers directly contribute water to streams.

Ongoing dry conditions increase concerns about watershed resilience and the availability of water to support essential community needs, including emergency wildfire response.

At the same time, conserving the limited water that remains can help support fish and aquatic ecosystems while strengthening watershed community resilience, including maintaining water availability for emergency wildfire response. Emergency use of water to extinguish a fire is recognized under the Water Sustainability Act.

What are the current conditions in the Nicola?

• The Nicola Watershed is currently at Drought Level 5 and Water Scarcity Level High. Streamflows throughout the watershed remain critically low, with several key monitoring stations reporting flows at or near the lowest level ever recorded for this time of year. The Nicola River at the outlets of both Douglas Lakes and Nicola Lake are currently ranked as Lowest recorded for seven-day average discharge, while the Coldwater River at Merrit is flowing below the 2nd percentile of historical conditions. These extremely low flows reflect the cumulative effects of a warm winter, record low snowpack, below-normal runoff and prolonged hot, dry weather.

• Conditions have been further exacerbated by a lack of precipitation throughout the month of July and early August. Record-low inflow associated with the lowest snowpack on record have resulted in Nicola Lake remaining at historically low levels for this time of year (Figure 1). Low flows have reduced available habitat, increased water temperatures, diminished water quality, and limited fish access to critical spawning, rearing and refuge habitats.

• With little rainfall in the forecast and watershed storage already severely depleted, streamflows are expected to remain at critically low levels. Unless water use is significantly reduced and substantial precipitation is received, conditions are likely to deteriorate further, increasing the risk of fish mortality, migration barriers, loss of rearing habitat and other potentially irreversible impacts to aquatic ecosystems.

Figure 1: Hydrograph comparing 2026 Nicola Lake levels (black line) with historical percentiles, historical median and previous year levels as of August 11, 2026.

Figure 2: Map of the Nicola Watershed with its mouth indicated by the orange pentagon.

What actions are being taken by the Province in the Nicola watershed?

• Coordinated irrigation scheduling brought some relief to the watershed but as streamflow continues to trend to record low for this time of year, fish habitat is under extreme stress across the Nicola Watershed. The Nk’eʔxép Management Committee (a partnership between the Province of British Columbia and the Nicola Five First Nations) is sending letters to water users requesting them to voluntarily reduce their non-essential water use by 100%.
   
• If you hold a surface water or groundwater licence in the Nicola Watershed, you may receive a letter requesting water conservation efforts in the mail or by email.
   
• When licence holders cut back their water use in sensitive watersheds, it can have a considerable positive impact on streamflows. Individuals and communities can play a key role in delaying or even preventing the need for regulatory actions.
• More information on understanding drought and water scarcity can be found here: Drought Information.

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, and reduce how much of your acreage is irrigated where possible. Coordinate irrigation timing and schedules with other water users to reduce peak demands. This eases pressure on local water sources. For example, some users in the watershed are using soil moisture meters to optimize water application based on crop need.
   
• If you hold a storage licence, use your stored water instead of taking straight from streams and wells.
   
• Apply for an interim AgriStability payment of up to 75% if you are enrolled for the 2026 Program Year. Producers who are not currently enrolled for the AgriStability 2026 Program Year are now able to enroll as a Late Participant. For support with an AgriStability claim, enrollment, or questions please call 1-877-343-2767 or email AgriStability@gov.bc.ca.
   
• Contact your Production Insurance office and file a claim if you purchased coverage for the 2026 crop year.
• Watch for and join provincial townhalls about current drought conditions. Find upcoming events, like townhalls, workshops and field days, at the AgriService BC Events page.

Will agricultural producers lose their Farm Class status for not meeting the income threshold due to water restrictions?

• A single year of reduced farm income caused by drought or other extraordinary events does not automatically result in the loss of Farm Class status. Farmers must earn a minimum amount of income from their farm operation in at least one of two reporting periods and make a sale of some qualifying agricultural product in every reporting period. So, if a producer cannot meet their threshold this year because of water restrictions, they would need to meet the threshold next year.
   
• BC Assessment cares most that the land is still being used for agricultural purposes, even if the income threshold for Farm Class status cannot be met. Producers should contact BC Assessment for advice about their individual circumstances (see contact information below).
• The Classification of Land as a Farm Regulation includes an Exceptional Circumstances provision that allows sales or production requirements to be waived when events beyond a farm operator's control, including natural disasters, make compliance impossible to meet.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

• Find information and resources on drought and water management to help prepare for and respond to drought conditions at the Drought in Agriculture webpage (gov.bc.ca/AgDrought).
   
• Please contact AgriService BC at AgriServiceBC@gov.bc.ca or 1-888-221-7141 for questions about supports for agriculture.
   
• For information on water licensing and rights, water concerns in your area, or provincial drought response measures (e.g., letters requesting voluntary water use reductions and water-related orders), please contact DroughtOps@gov.bc.ca.
• For information on Farm Class status, please visit BC Assessment (bcassessment.ca) or contact their office in your region (info.bcassessment.ca/contact-us).

 AgriserviceBC Website