Drought conditions continue in northeast B.C., federal agency says

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The federal government is warning drought conditions have not improved in northeast B.C., despite “above normal” precipitation in October.

According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s monthly drought statistics, British Columbia continues to experience long-term drought conditions ranging from ‘abnormally dry’ to ‘extreme drought’. 

The drought map noted the majority of northeast B.C. continued to experience ‘moderate’ to ‘extreme drought’ conditions. 

Trevor Hadwen, an agroclimate specialist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, explained northeast B.C. had received “above normal to normal” precipitation in October, but noted it was not enough to put an end to the drought which has lasted since at least 2022.

“The precipitation was not enough to make significant impacts on the ongoing drought condition, which remains rated as severe to exceptional,” Hadwen said.  

“The multi-year drought in this region has resulted in severe surface water shortages, well-below-normal streamflow and reduced groundwater availability.”

Hadwen acknowledged the conditions resulted in several communities maintaining water restrictions. 

In October, the city of Dawson Creek declared a state of local emergency (SOLE) due to multiple years of drought impacting its primary water source, the Kiskatinaw River. The SOLE was recently extended until November 25th.