Victoria, B.C. – Recent rainfall has improved river levels in some regions of the Province, but the Peace Region is not one of them. It remains classed as a Drought Level three ( very dry conditions) as streams remain at below average levels for this time of the year.

 

The Skeena-Nass region has been downgraded from a Drought Level 3 to a 2 (dry conditions), but the Bulkley and Nechako rivers are both still low. Fortune Creek in the Southern Interior continues to be low as well.

 

Most rivers on the South Coast and Southern Interior are at normal levels.  With the exception of the upper Columbia region, rivers in the Kootenays are also normal.

 

 

Streamflow Conditions:

 

In the Peace region, rainfall during August and the beginning of September improved river levels in most areas, and all streams are now above their record minimum levels. The Halfway, Kiskatinaw and Osilinka rivers are at

10- to 20-year low flows, while the Moberly River remains below 20-year low flows.

 

After receiving less than average rainfall for June and July, Fort Nelson received above- normal rainfall for August. As a result, the Liard River has improved from near record low flows in mid-August to a five-year low flow for the current date.

 

In the Skeena-Nass region, a frontal system during the first week of September brought sufficient rainfall to bring Nass River levels to normal and improve the Skeena River at Usk to a five-year return period low flow.

The Bulkley River at Quick remains between a 10- and 20-year return period flows. The Nechako River is also quite low.

 

On the Central Coast, river levels range from above median (Salloomt River) to five- to 10-year return period low flows (Bella Coola and Klinaklini rivers).

 

In the Central Interior, average precipitation in August and early September has improved river levels in the Cariboo region (Quesnel River at Quesnel and Horsefly rivers) to five- to 10- year return period low flows. In the Upper Fraser, river levels continue to be at five- to 10-year return period low flows.

 

In the Southern Interior, the Thompson, Similkameen and Okanagan area streams are generally between median and five-year return period low flows. In the Kootenay and lower Columbia areas, streamflow conditions are

generally between median and five-year return period low flows. However, in the upper Columbia region, some river levels have demonstrated a steeper drop, falling to 10-year return period low flows, and in some cases to near record lows (Columbia River at Donald and Kicking Horse River).

 

On Vancouver Island, most river levels are normal for this time of year.

 

On the South Coast mainland, most streams are between median and five-year low flows. However, some streams in the Howe Sound area have fallen to 10-to 20-year return period flows (Elaho and Squamish rivers).