Dawson Creek ‘confident’ water supply enough until spring while it awaits permits

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The proposed ‘overland water transfer system’ in Dawson Creek to tackle a water crisis may not be implemented until the spring while the city awaits the necessary permits – but it expects water supplies to last that long.

That’s according to Devon Aaroe, general manager of major infrastructure and development for Dawson Creek, who gave Energeticcity.ca a statement amid a drought Dawson Creek has been facing ever since its sole water source – the Kiskatinaw River – has been running dry.

To tackle the crisis, the city has plans to lay pipes along the highway to pump water from the Peace River. 

However, the recent above-than-average snow the region received in the 2025-2026 winter season has helped the city recuperate and manage the water crisis. 

The City of Dawson Creek announced on January 9th it had secured one of five permits it needed for the temporary ‘overland water transfer system’ solution. 

In a written statement, Aaroe told Energerticcity.ca: “We received the permit for our Section 10 ‘use approval’ to withdraw water from the Peace River from WLRS (Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship) in mid-December.” 

This permit will allow the city to draw up to its maximum demand of 8,000m3 per day. 

“[This is] to supplement our source water should we need,” he said. “It is in place for the maximum allowable period, two years from the date of issuance.” 

The city is still waiting for permits from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) to use the highway, CN Rail for crossing its rail line and Northern Health for a permit to change its water source. 

In addition, the city is also waiting for a temporary construction permit. 

Aaroe said: “[This will allow] us to use the intended lay-flat hose system to transmit surface water from the Peace [River] intended as source water for drinking water.” 

He shared the city is confident it has enough water to meet community needs until the spring. 

Aaroe said the strategy is to “continue to manage our water system responsibly and to utilize our existing reservoir system, which is in place for just such a situation, to ensure we have the necessary water until permitting can be fully obtained.” 

He added: “We are confident that we will have enough of the water that our community needs until permitting is obtained and the temporary overland system can be deployed.

“Based on current river levels, reservoir levels and daily water demand from the community, the timeline may push further out and it really depends on the single largest factor outside of our control, the seasonal changes, weather and how much moisture our watershed and surrounding areas receive in the coming months.”

Aaroe hopes the moisture they have received due to recent weather will continue through winter and spring. 

He shared: “Steady moisture helps recharge river systems, which supports consistent levels at the weir on the Kiskatinaw River where our system draws water.

“We will monitor the snowpack and river levels closely as we approach spring melt. 

“A slow and steady freshet would help keep our raw water reservoir system stable through the middle of the year.” 

Aaroe shared that the city is prepared to use the overland water transfer system if the Kiskatinaw River shows signs it may not be able to meet community needs. 

The city is also looking at a more permanent solution to the ongoing drought in Kiskatinaw River by installing a pipeline to pump water from the Peace River.