Record low water levels increase drought level across Cowichan Valley

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2019
Record low water levels increase drought level across Cowichan Valley

Duncan, BC – The Cowichan region is currently experiencing drought conditions not typically
observed until mid-to-late summer, and as a result the Cowichan Valley Regional District is
elevating the region to Drought Level 2 – Dry.
Cowichan communities experienced generally below normal precipitation and above normal
temperatures throughout the late winter and early spring of 2019, leading to concerns about
drought conditions, both now and throughout the summer. Core indicators for drought levels,
including measurements of snowpack, seasonal runoff forecasts, precipitation and streamflow,
are all currently at or exceeding the provincial criteria for Drought Level 2.

“While summer drought is very much the new normal for the Cowichan Valley, the warm
temperatures and lack of rain we’ve had year-to-date is of significant concern,” said Kate Miller,
Manager of Environmental Services for the Cowichan Valley Regional District. “We can see the
low lake and river levels, but data from provincial monitoring wells showing three wells in the
Cowichan region at record low levels. This tells us the drought is also affecting groundwater
aquifers.”

BC’s Technical Drought Working Group, which analyzes conditions and sets the drought level for
large water basins across the province, has updated East Vancouver Island to Drought Level 2.

The CVRD Environmental Services Division conducted its own analysis of local drought
conditions and determined the Cowichan region is rapidly approaching Drought Level 3
conditions.

The situation is especially critical in the Cowichan Watershed, as the lack of spring rain has led
to record low lake levels. Salmon fry salvage that normally takes place mid-summer is already
under way as lake and river tributaries dry up. Paper Excellence has received permission to
reduce flows through the weir at Lake Cowichan to 4.5 cubic metres per second. Even with these
emergency low flows, it is forecast that pumping water over the weir will be needed by early
August. As a result of current drought conditions, the wildfire danger level is moderate-high (3-4)
throughout the Cowichan region, and open burning is strictly prohibited.

Stage 1 watering restrictions are in effect for all CVRD and municipal water systems and residents
on wells or in other community systems are encouraged to follow these guidelines to conserve
water. Learn more about regional drought levels and water system restrictions by visiting
www.newnormalcowichan.ca
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For more information, please contact:
Kate Miller
Manager, Environmental Services
250.746.2509
kate.millercvrd.bc.ca

https://www.cvrd.bc.ca/DocumentCenter/View/93326/News-Release---Drought-Level-Update