Persistent drought underscores urgent need for local water action
Despite rainfall bringing temporary relief throughout the Province, British Columbia still faces region-wide drought conditions well into fall. British Columbia’s Drought Monitoring Summary shows much of the province remains under significant water stress. Many regions are still at Levels 3 to 5, the highest designations on the provincial scale.
In BC’s Columbia Basin, these conditions serve as a stark reminder of how vulnerable our water systems are and how local governance is needed to help build resilience. The significant drought concerns in southeastern BC demonstrates the need for greater coordination and investment in local watershed security according to Kat Hartwig, Living Lakes Canada Executive Director and Chair of the Elk River Monitoring Collaborative.
“Many of our small and rural communities are already experiencing how water shortages impact everything from drinking water to wildfire suppression,” said Hartwig.
That message echoes the findings of the Elk River Monitoring Collaborative’s Without Water Symposium held in Grasmere, BC, in June. The newly released What We Heard report captures the collective insights from over 100 participants gathered to discuss the future of water security in the region.
“The message from the symposium was clear: there is enough water, until there isn’t. We need shared data, watershed planning, and clear local leadership to manage water quantity across BC’s regions,” continued Hartwig.
Participants at the symposium spoke candidly about personal, cultural, and spiritual connections to water, that watershed-related decisions must be made amid uncertainty, and that integrated decision-making is a necessity.
These findings align with growing provincial calls for increased watershed investment, particularly as local governments and rural communities face compounding challenges from drought and wildfire.
“The provincial Watershed Security Fund, with annual disbursements ranging from $3-5 million, provides some support for community and ecosystem adaptation by working to address water security. However, further designated support is still required across the province,” stressed Hartwig.
“Modernizing BC’s Water Licensing system could be a mechanism to help support local water governance and decision-making. In turn, this would benefit local economies and ecosystem services, for our collective well-being,” concluded Hartwig.
