Category Archives: Drought Updates

Conditions – Jul4, 2025

Boundary Region Drought Updates, Drought Updates, Local Conditions

🌧️ Last week’s rain made our river levels rise a bit, but they’re still lower than usual for this time of year.🏞️ Have you noticed the levels dropping quickly? The groundwater levels, those directly affected by the Kettle River (unconfined), are doing okay in Midway and Beaverdell; however, they’ve dropping a bit more in the Grand Forks area. Are you noticing this at your wells? 🌡️ With the hot weather continuing and only a bit of rain forecasted, our river levels will likely keep falling across the Boundary Region while the fire danger rating increase. 🌳

Let’s keep being WaterWise and FireSmart.🏞️ Every effort counts, not just for today but for the future too! 💧

📊 The hydrographs below show river water and groundwater levels for the Granby River, Kettle River, and West Kettle River. The second graph in the image highlights the groundwater well level that is most closely connected to these rivers. 🏞️💧

Drought Level Reframed

Boundary Region Drought Updates, Drought Updates

The Province has changed how it calculates the Provincial Drought Levels , which is different than what they have done in the past 10 years. Check out the document below for a quick summary explaining the changes.

You can find the drought Levels at the BC Drought Portal: https://droughtportal.gov.bc.ca/
The BC Drought and Water Scarcity Response Plan explains the new system: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/water/drought info/drought_response_plan_final.pdf

Key things to know:

* 2025 Provincial drought levels can’t be compared to past years.
* 2025 levels are based on observed conditions at a specific date and do not include forecasts or water scarcity impacts like before.
* Social or ecosystem impacts are not included in the new system.

Communication: Unlike past years, the Province will not send letters to water license holders to let them know about drought level changes or ask for voluntary water use reductions. Communities need to check this information themselves. Provincial drought communication will mostly be provided through the BC Drought Portal.

ProvincialDroughtCode_2025Download

Conditions – Aug15,2024

Boundary Region Drought Updates, Drought Updates

After a very hot July, we have started seeing some relief with slightly cooler temperatures. This has helped both slow down the drop in our river water levels as well as lower the water temperatures –which is very needed for the fish. The Province has maintained the BC Drought code at Level 3 (out of 5) for the Kettle and Okanagan watersheds, asking everyone to reduce water use where possible. RDKB’s drought response plan includes recommendation on actions to take during these drying times.

What does this mean for us in the Boundary? Many of our monitored rivers are showing water levels comparable to 2023, lower than 2022, but higher than in 2021 and 2015. Expectedly, our rivers and streams continue to warm, as water temperature is well correlated to air temp. This is important because rainbow trout can become temperature stressed when water is over 20’C for more than a 24 hr period, shifting to potential lethal if over 25’C, (over a 24hr period). In most cases, when the water depth is sufficient, fish can find cooler refuge at groundwater seeps or in deeper pools. Regarding groundwater, there are 3 local observation wells, showing water levels ranging from normal (Beaverdell) to below normal (Grand Forks). Looking ahead, the fall forecast is for continued warmer and drier compared to normal conditions.

Have you been tracking your groundwater levels over multiple years? The RDKB would be interested in hearing how your readings compare to the nearest observation well. Please email [email protected].

Questions, please contact [email protected]

Conditions – Jul26,2024

Boundary Region Drought Updates, Drought Updates

Drought Condition Update – the situation has worsened

Drought Level 3 West Kettle, Upper Kettle River, Granby River watersheds & Okanagan River watersheds. Remaining at Drought Level 2 for Lower and Mid Kettle watersheds. View details at: droughtportal.gov.bc.ca/

Recent weeks have seen a sharp drop in water levels and a rise in water temperatures. The Province has increased the drought level for the Okanagan River watersheds and 3 of the 5 Kettle River sub-watersheds. https://droughtportal.gov.bc.ca/

If you have a BC water license located in a watershed currently at Drought Level 3, you will likely received a letter from the Province recommending you reduce your water use. If you get your water from a service provider (ie. municipality or water users community) they will inform you of any restrictions or requirements that need to be followed.

Conditions – Jul22,2024

Uncategorized, Boundary Region Drought Updates, Drought Updates

This past weekend brought continued high temperatures across the Boundary, making this morning’s sound of rain especially refreshing. Understanding that lightning can accompany rain storms, we are now watching for potential lightning strikes.

Water levels continue to drop rapidly, falling below normal levels for this time of year. Grateful for the cool, wet spring we experienced only a few weeks ago.

Be prepared for continued drying conditions across the Boundary, as minimal rain is forecasted for the upcoming week. Let’s hope this morning’s rain lingers a bit longer.

The following sites help monitor lightning strikes and storm conditions.