CANADA, August 19 -
Summary
- New temporary protection order issued for the Salmon River watershed
- More than 200 adult Chinook salmon have entered the watershed
- Continued low streamflows are threatening the survival of returning adult Chinook salmon
- Agricultural and identified industrial water-use restrictions will be required again to protect fish populations
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As adult Chinook salmon return to the Salmon River to spawn, the Province is issuing a new temporary protection order to help ensure enough water remains in the river to support fish survival and spawning.
The order is being issued under the Water Sustainability Act, following continued monitoring that shows streamflows remain critically low and below levels required to protect fish populations.
Technical staff have been monitoring conditions since a previous temporary protection order was issued on July 28, 2026, and then rescinded on Aug. 8, 2026, as farmers and ranchers dealt with elevated wildfire risk in the region. However, adult Chinook salmon are at a critical stage in their lifecycle with more than 200 adult Chinook salmon in the watershed. Ongoing drought conditions and low streamflows continue to threaten the survival of the Chinook salmon population.
Effective Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, 458 surface water and groundwater licences and transitioning groundwater users in the Salmon River watershed are ordered to stop using water for irrigation of forage crops, lawns, fairways and garden industrial purposes. Forage crops include grass for hay, alfalfa and forage corn, and are some of the most water-intensive agricultural crops.
The restrictions are intended to maintain the minimum environmental flows needed to support migrating and spawning Chinook salmon. Affected water users will be contacted directly with a copy of the signed order. Affected licence numbers and application numbers for transitioning groundwater users are identified in the order.
The Province has worked with local governments, First Nations, farmers, ranchers and stewardship groups throughout the season to encourage voluntary conservation measures and support responsible water use. While these efforts have helped reduce demand, streamflows continue to remain below levels needed to protect fish populations.
Provincial staff will continue monitoring streamflows, fish populations and watershed conditions throughout the season. The order will be rescinded as soon as possible, once conditions improve sufficiently to protect fish populations and critical environmental flows. If a wildfire or firefighting occurs in the area of the temporary protection order, the Water Sustainability Act allows for water to be used.
Supports for farmers
Programs are in place to offer support for crop failure owing to drought, income declines and increased costs. Ministry of Agriculture and Food staff are available to help producers with their questions or claims. The Province has invested $120 million into the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program since 2023. The program supports more than 700 projects for farmers and ranchers, and will result in new or improved water storage and supply systems for irrigation and livestock in water-scarce and drought-prone areas.
Farmers or ranchers affected by drought can contact the AgriService BC line at 1-888-221-7141.
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