B.C. Drought

Cattle roam in a field near Pigeon Lake, Alta., on May 1, 2022. Experts say an uptick in extreme weather, such as drought, is leading beef farmers in the U.S. and Canada to thin their herds in near-record numbers, which could lead to supply problems in the beef industry over the longer term. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Extreme drought makes cattle farmers thin herds, could cause future supply problems

Climate change likely to increase drought conditions over time in Canada and U.S.

 

A view of Gibsons Landing from the top of Soames Hill, a short but steep hike on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, is seen near the town of Grantham’s Landing, B.C., on May 23, 2016. A state of local emergency in response to drought along British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been lifted as the regional district says water flows were high enough in a key water source.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lauren Krugel

Drought state of emergency lifted for B.C.’s Sunshine Coast, water restrictions stay

Residents still not allowed to water lawns, fill hot tubs, among other things

 

A pedestrian carries an umbrella as light rain falls in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, October 21, 2022. British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast Regional District says continued “uncertainty” about water supplies means it will seek an extension of the state of local emergency declared last month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. regional district seeks emergency extension as winter water supply ‘uncertain’

Stage 4 restrictions are in place across a wide area of the Sunshine Coast

 

Rain is expected to return on Oct. 21 after three months of almost no precipitation and hot weather in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

‘Big shift’ to rainy, cool fall weather headed for Vancouver Island after drought

Rain in the week-long forecast starts Friday after just millimetres since July

Rain is expected to return on Oct. 21 after three months of almost no precipitation and hot weather in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
Flooding on a rural home in the Hatzic community taken on Nov. 29, 2021, a day before the third atmospheric river event. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. communities warned to prepare for flooding when rain hits drought-ridden areas

Dry weather can increase initial flood risk, River Forecast Centre says

Flooding on a rural home in the Hatzic community taken on Nov. 29, 2021, a day before the third atmospheric river event. (Black Press Media file photo)
A spring 2021 file photo shows the Comox Dam and Comox Lake Reservoir on Vancouver Island. As of September 2022, inflow levels into the sites are at 36.9 per cent of what they would normally, as several parts of the province face drought conditions. (Photo courtesy of BC Hydro)

Smaller BC Hydro watersheds at near-record lows amid drought conditions

Low water levels not enough to threaten provincial power delivery, but do warn of climate change

A spring 2021 file photo shows the Comox Dam and Comox Lake Reservoir on Vancouver Island. As of September 2022, inflow levels into the sites are at 36.9 per cent of what they would normally, as several parts of the province face drought conditions. (Photo courtesy of BC Hydro)
(Photo courtesy of The Canadian Press)

Historic drought behind B.C. wildfires, salmon die-off could continue, experts say

Dry weather could persist throughout October

(Photo courtesy of The Canadian Press)
Kin Beach in Chemainus remained a popular place for people to hang out and swim during September. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Less than 1/3 the usual rain falls on southeast Vancouver Island in September

Start of the rainy season delayed until at least late October

Kin Beach in Chemainus remained a popular place for people to hang out and swim during September. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The Flood Falls Trail wildfire burns above the Fraser River in Hope, B.C., Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. As hot and dry conditions persist in the province, the superintendent of BC Wildfire Service’s predictive services unit warns fire season in British Columbia is not yet over. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

BC Wildfire Service warns season not yet over amid drought

‘Problematic’ hot and dry conditions persist, with temperatures 5 to 8 degrees above normal

The Flood Falls Trail wildfire burns above the Fraser River in Hope, B.C., Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. As hot and dry conditions persist in the province, the superintendent of BC Wildfire Service’s predictive services unit warns fire season in British Columbia is not yet over. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
High water levels wash out highway 307 just northeast of Winnipeg, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Floods, droughts and major storms that wash out highways, damage buildings and destroy power systems could cost Canada's economy $139 billion over the next 30 years, a new climate-based analysis predicts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Floods, drought, storms could cost Canada’s economy $139 billion by 2050: report

Manufacturing and distribution will take the biggest hit from water-related climate disasters

High water levels wash out highway 307 just northeast of Winnipeg, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Floods, droughts and major storms that wash out highways, damage buildings and destroy power systems could cost Canada's economy $139 billion over the next 30 years, a new climate-based analysis predicts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
The Ministry of Forests has upgraded Vancouver Island’s drought level warning to level 3 after a long period of hot weather and no rain. (Courtesy of Ministry of Forests)

Vancouver Island’s drought rating rises to level 3

Province asking people to cut back on water usage, may add restrictions if conditions don’t improve

The Ministry of Forests has upgraded Vancouver Island’s drought level warning to level 3 after a long period of hot weather and no rain. (Courtesy of Ministry of Forests)
The landscape is dotted with power lines and poles as smoke from wildfires burning in the area fills the air while motorists travel on the Trans-Canada Highway near Walhachin, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Residents across British Columbia are being advised to prepare a well-stocked emergency kit in advance of what BC Hydro warns could be a stormy fall and winter made worse by the effects of the severe summer drought. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Drought-weakened trees, fall storms could mean more power outages: BC Hydro

Conditions mirror those in 2015 and 2018, when the utility was hit by its two most damaging storms

The landscape is dotted with power lines and poles as smoke from wildfires burning in the area fills the air while motorists travel on the Trans-Canada Highway near Walhachin, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Residents across British Columbia are being advised to prepare a well-stocked emergency kit in advance of what BC Hydro warns could be a stormy fall and winter made worse by the effects of the severe summer drought. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Much of southern B.C. remains under drought conditions (B.C. Drought Map/B.C. Drought Information Portal)

B.C. urged to conserve water as drought conditions persist through summer’s end

Recent rains have alleviated drought conditions in some parts of B.C., but severe drought remains

Much of southern B.C. remains under drought conditions (B.C. Drought Map/B.C. Drought Information Portal)
This year’s Western hemlock "looper" moth outbreak has been seen in the Lower Mainland and the Interior, including communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (Lorraine Maclauchlan photo)

Western Hemlock Looper Moths return for a third feast of B.C. foliage

Outbreaks of the moths occur every 11 to 15 years in Coastal and Interior forests

This year’s Western hemlock "looper" moth outbreak has been seen in the Lower Mainland and the Interior, including communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (Lorraine Maclauchlan photo)
Surveying the Chemainus River watershed provides some interesting insights for Erik Piikkila. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Vancouver Island forester says more than climate change behind our trickling rivers

Expert says the status quo not going to cut it anymore in our forests and watersheds

Surveying the Chemainus River watershed provides some interesting insights for Erik Piikkila. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The drought level for Vancouver Island has been raise to level 5. (B.C. Ministry of Environment)

Drought level on Vancouver Island raised to level 5

New water restrictions implemented in some areas

The drought level for Vancouver Island has been raise to level 5. (B.C. Ministry of Environment)
After a heat dome melted temperature records for Greater Victoria earlier this summer, the region is now approaching its all-time record for days without rain. (Black Press Media file)

Greater Victoria approaching its rainless days record

Region embroiled in one of the harshest droughts currently facing B.C.

After a heat dome melted temperature records for Greater Victoria earlier this summer, the region is now approaching its all-time record for days without rain. (Black Press Media file)
B.C. ranks drought levels from 0 to 5. Drought Level 5 is rated as the most severe, with adverse impacts to socioeconomic or ecosystem values being almost certain. (Black Press Media file photo)

Officials urge British Columbians to conserve water as regions face extreme drought

Streams and fish seeing biggest impact of drought, as wildfires burn

B.C. ranks drought levels from 0 to 5. Drought Level 5 is rated as the most severe, with adverse impacts to socioeconomic or ecosystem values being almost certain. (Black Press Media file photo)
Must of eastern Vancouver Island is in the red at Drought Level 4. (B.C. Drought Information Portal)

Most of eastern Vancouver Island now at Drought Level 4

Low spring rainfall amounts and extreme heat wave to blame for early summer drought

Must of eastern Vancouver Island is in the red at Drought Level 4. (B.C. Drought Information Portal)
A water sustainability plan for the Koksilah River, which saw low water levels again this year, is under way. (File photo)

Water levels in Cowichan Valley’s Koksilah River critically low again this year

Farmers had to alternate water use

A water sustainability plan for the Koksilah River, which saw low water levels again this year, is under way. (File photo)