WATER SUPPLY AND STREAMFLOW CONDITIONS

VICTORIA – Rivers in a large portion of the province continue to experience low streamflow conditions. In some areas, these continue to be record-low flows for the date.

Current B.C. Streamflows:

The current low streamflow situation results from an earlier than normal snowmelt in mid-May, followed by continued drier and warmer than normal weather. Rainfall in most areas of the province was only 30 to 70 per cent of normal for June and July, and less than 50 per cent of normal during August and September. With the exception of some coastal areas, rainfall in the first 10 days of October has been marginal. Most rivers throughout British Columbia continue to be well below their long-term median flows and many rivers continue to experience record-low flows for the date.

Environment Minister Barry Penner urges all British Columbians to help conserve B.C.’s water resources. For tips to reduce water consumption, please refer to the ministry’s website at www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/plan_protect_sustain/water_conservation/index.html.

The following basins are experiencing significant low flows:

· Peace River

· Fraser River (upper and mid-Fraser)

· Thompson River (including the Nicola/Coldwater)

· Nechako River

· Skeena and Bulkley rivers

· Similkameen River

· Vancouver Island and the South Coast

Many rivers are experiencing record or near record low flows for the date, including:

· most gauged rivers in the Peace

· Fraser River at Hope

· Fraser River at Prince George

· Thompson River at Spences Bridge

· North Thompson River at McLure

· Coldwater River

· Eagle River (at Malakwa)

· Salmon River (at Salmon Arm)

· Quesnel River

· Bella Coola River

· Saloomt River (at Hagensborg)

· Tulameen River

· Chilliwack River

· Vancouver Island (west coast) rivers

· In general, these rivers appear to be near 50-year to 100-year low flow levels.

Water Supply and Streamflow Outlook:

The 2006 summer drought is persistent and rivers in the above-noted areas will continue to experience very low flows until significant and prolonged rainfall occurs. Most of the B.C. Interior is approaching freeze-up, with night-time temperatures now falling to below freezing at many of our snow pillow sites. If significant rainfall does not occur in the next month, precipitation may occur as snow, and rivers will remain at their low levels for the duration of the winter.

Environment Canada is forecasting light or scattered rain for the southern half of the province over the next week. However, significant and prolonged rain is not in the forecast. British Columbia is currently experiencing mild El Nino conditions, with a resultant tendency for warmer than normal and drier than normal conditions for the autumn and winter.

This water supply and streamflow update has been compiled by the B.C. River Forecast Centre. For additional information, please refer to www.env.gov.bc.ca/rfc/river_forecast/water_supply.htm.

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Media contact:	Allan Chapman River Forecast Centre Ministry of Environment 250 387-9472

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