Special Bulletin

Request for water users in the Koksilah River watershed

This special bulletin provides an update on drought conditions and water levels in the Koksilah River watershed only

Overview

Streamflows in the Koksilah River watershed are trending towards a critical threshold for fish and aquatic ecosystem health. In response, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) is sending letters to all licensed water users and existing use groundwater licence applicants requesting water conservation efforts and voluntary water use reductions in hopes of improving stream conditions.

Water conservation by individuals and communities can have a considerable positive impact on streamflows and can play a pivotal role in delaying or even preventing the need for further regulatory action.

What are the current conditions in the Koksilah River watershed?

• The East Vancouver Island basin is currently at drought level 4 with the impacts of low streamflow conditions on aquatic habitats and fish populations being monitored separately for the Koksilah River watershed. The watershed is currently ranked as having “moderate” water scarcity. It is one of the first watersheds in B.C. for which water scarcity levels are being established.

• Water scarcity levels for selected pilot watersheds complement drought levels by focusing on a wide range of current and emerging risks to water availability at the watershed scale. They help water users better understand local conditions and when to take voluntary action to reduce impacts. Each piloted watershed will develop its own framework to define these levels differently, based on locally appropriate indicators, values and recommended actions.

• Streamflows are currently much below normal for this time of year and are declining, trending towards the level that could threaten the survival of fish populations. These low flows, combined with increasing water temperatures, are already within ranges that may negatively affect fish (e.g., reduced growth, delayed migration) and the proper functioning of aquatic ecosystems with potential for significant or irreversible harm.

The above hydrograph shows a decline in streamflow (dark blue line; in cubic meters per second or m³/s) in the Koksilah River between June 1, 2026, and July 6, 2026. Current flow is now much lower than average flow for the 2018-2025 period (light blue line) for this time of year and is trending towards a level that is considered dangerous for the survival of fish populations (known as the Fish Population Survival Threshold (FPST), illustrated by the dashed red line). The trend shows that without significant rainfall or reduction in water use, the Koksilah River is on track to fall below the FPST by mid-summer.

For more information on drought and water scarcity levels and monitoring data please visit the “West Coast tab” in the BC Drought Information Portal. You can access monitoring data along with the most recent “groundwater level conditions report” and the “streamflow report” for the West Coast.

To get to the West Coast information tab, go to: BC Drought Information Portal > click on “Access Monitoring and Maps” > click on “West Coast” map in the left-hand sidebar.

What actions are being taken by the Province in the Koksilah River watershed?

• All water licence holders and existing use groundwater licence applicants in the watershed can expect to receive water conservation letters in the mail shortly.

• If stream conditions continue to deteriorate due to persistent hot and dry conditions coupled with current water demand levels, WLRS may consider further regulatory actions to protect fish and fish habitat, such as Temporary Protection Orders (TPOs).

• See the Water Use During Scarcity webpage for more information about regulatory tools that the Province may use to address water scarcity impacts.

More about water conservation and voluntary reduction requests

• Conserving water and reducing water use is voluntary and is not legally required but can have a significant positive impact on streamflows.

• Water users may receive multiple requests with increasing urgency to voluntarily reduce water use as drought conditions worsen. 

• Letters requesting water conservation and voluntary reductions in water use do not target individual water users - they have been sent out to all licensed water users and existing use groundwater applicants in the Tsolum River watershed including agricultural water users, industrial users and water purveyors.

What can agricultural water users do in response to the current drought conditions?

• Use efficient irrigation techniques to reduce water demand and regularly maintain and repair irrigation systems to ensure they are operating efficiently (e.g., check for leaks, inspect nozzles regularly, and apply water wisely).

• Monitor crop and soil conditions, prioritize crops at critical growth stages, reduce irrigated acreage where possible, and coordinate with other irrigators to stagger watering schedules and ease pressure on local water sources.

• If you hold a storage licence, rely on stored water rather than diverting directly from streams and wells.

• Look for and attend provincial townhalls that provide information on current drought conditions. Find upcoming events, including 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 necessarily mean a property will lose Farm Class. Farmers are required to generate a minimum amount of income from their farm operation in at least one of two reporting periods and to make a sale of some qualifying agricultural product in every reporting period. So, in circumstances where a producer is unable to meet their threshold this year due to the exceptional water restrictions, they would need to meet the threshold next year.

• BC Assessment's primary consideration is that the land continues to be used for agricultural purposes even if the income threshold for Farm Class status cannot be met.

• The Classification of Land as a Farm Regulation includes an Exceptional Circumstances provision that allows sales or production requirements to be waived when events, including natural disasters, beyond a farm operator's control make compliance impracticable.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

• Access drought resilience resources, tools and support for farmers and producers 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