Due to ongoing drought conditions, a new water restriction order has been imposed on the Bessette Creek area in southern British Columbia to protect endangered chinook salmon. The B.C. Ministry of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship announced that record low flows in Bessette Creek in early July posed a serious threat to the survival of the local salmon population.
Situated approximately 480 kilometers northeast of Vancouver, Bessette Creek is considered a critical area for salmon conservation due to the heightened risk low streamflows during spawning pose to the population. Despite voluntary conservation efforts, water levels have not seen significant improvement, leading the ministry to issue a temporary fish protection order. This order restricts water usage for forage crops, as well as certain mining and industrial activities.
The ministry has instructed 131 surface-water and groundwater license holders in the Bessette Creek watershed to cease water usage for irrigation of crops, harvesting, greenhouses, nurseries, and well-drilling effective immediately. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is offering assistance to producers affected by crop failures or income reductions resulting from the drought.