River levels have been dropping all across BC as the effects of the province’s current unprecedented drought set in.
As these conditions worsen, the province has been implementing water restrictions to certain forms of agriculture in order to protect local fish populations.
As of Thursday, August 24th, BC is imposing a fish population protection order which will restrict water use for industry as well as forage crops in the Koksilah River and its watershed.
The Koksilah River has seen persistent low streams, which have been detrimental to the steelhead trout that call these streams home.
The province is able to keep forage farmers and industry from accessing water by way of the Water Sustainability Act put in place to protect the ecosystems which occupy BC watersheds and the renewability of the province’s water as a resource.
The province says this order will impact approximately 108 license holders who access the watershed. Forage farmers in this region typically produce grass for hay and silage, alfalfa and forage corn.
Any industrial process which uses this water must also cease operations as per the order.
Non-forage crops and usages such as market vegetables, livestock watering or domestic purposes are still permitted.
The province can revoke this order if water flows recover.
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“These decisions are always made as a last resort — recognizing the impact on people and businesses,” the province said in a media release.
“Because of the collective efforts of water licensees in the area, the Province has been able to delay these actions until today. Provincial staff are monitoring the situation and working to balance water uses with environmental flow needs.”
In addition to these restrictions, the fishing closure on Upper Cowichan River is also being extended until fall. This has been decided in support of the ongoing conservation efforts in the Cowichan Valley.
This fishing closure extends from the Cowichan Lake Weir dam to the 66 Mile Trestle located in Cowichan River Provincial Park. This stretch will be closed to fishing until November 15th.
Hot temperatures in combination with extreme drought conditions have led to an algal bloom in Cowichan River which has had a direct impact on fish mortality rates as well as the rest of the Cowichan aquatic ecosystem.
BC says the goal in implementing this fishing closure is to alleviate stress on fish populations and allow for the river’s recovery.
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