Welcome to our first biweekly “BC Drought State-of-Play Newsletter” to keep you updated on drought and water scarcity current conditions and share “bite-sized” actions that you can take to help maintain momentum throughout the summer and fall.
With water restrictions about to take full effect in some areas, and a local state of emergency declared in another, this is a critical window to shape public conversation and drive action on watershed security in the province. Unified and consistent messaging will be essential to building urgency and momentum.
BC Drought Current Conditions
The BC Drought Portal is live for 2026, drought levels will be updated weekly. New this year is a Water Scarcity Map. In addition to using the hydrologic drought data that defines different ‘drought levels’, it reflects human and watershed factors such as water demand, storage, environmental needs, and management decisions.
As of June 4, 2026, key regions of focus include:
Drought Level 4: Okanagan Basin, East Vancouver Island Basin, Kettle River Basin
Drought Level 3: South Cariboo Basin, Lower Thompson Basin, South Thompson Basin, Nicola Basin, West Vancouver Island Basin
Actions of the Week:
As we can see from the map, we are already looking down a potentially very challenging summer for many regions and basins across BC. Decision-makers are watching closely. Every week’s action helps push our industrial water rates campaign across the finish line & advance long-term sustainable funding for watershed security in BC.
- Share News Articles with a Call To Action
There has been an increase in media on drought and water scarcity related to local social and economic concerns.
Use the resources in the Drought Action Kit and the ‘Ready-to-Share’ messaging guide to share recent media grounded in the reality of your work/communities, with a clear Call to Action to modernize industrial water rates and dedicate funding to support communities to deal with drought and water scarcity. Linked below are a few relevant news stories.
- Request to Meet with your MLA about Drought and Water Scarcity Concerns
Use our MLA Letter Sender & Phone Calling Tools, which allows you or your network to connect their concerns about drought with the need for watershed security funding and funnel that in the most effective way- right at their MLA!
More information can be found in the Drought Action Kit
Drought and Water Scarcity In The News
Southern Interior
Bring your own water: How drought may affect your B.C. summer travel plans: “Tourists visiting some of B.C.’s hottest destinations this summer, including Vancouver Island and the Okanagan, should prepare for potential drought conditions and water conservation measures, say officials. Some regions, like the Gulf Islands, even recommend travellers bring their own drinking water for their vacation.”
→ Sharing this article? Key messaging: Healthy watersheds are essential infrastructure that underpin BC’s economy, health, and long-term resilience, and they must be valued.
‘Plan ahead, be prepared’: Rancher near Kamloops warns of drought conditions: “He said some people have begun talking about downsizing their herds and looking to get tax deferrals from the government if they do so. “It’s a financial crisis as well as an industry crisis for the number of cows,”
→ Sharing this article? Key messaging: Healthy watersheds are essential infrastructure that underpin BC’s economy, food security, health, and long-term resilience, and they must be valued and funded accordingly.
Southern Coast
Stage 3 Water Restrictions to come into Effect on June 8 – Metro Vancouver: “Linda Parkinson, the director of Metro Vancouver’s water services department, told CBC News that the regional district anticipated the snowpack to be gone “within weeks,” and the region was already drawing from its reservoirs a month earlier than usual. “
→ Sharing this article? Key messaging: Water scarcity is becoming the new normal for communities across British Columbia, which are increasingly under pressure and under-resourced to respond.
Article From Watershed Security Committee
