Drought conditions worsen in the Nicola Valley

In the latest drought condition update from the BC River Forecast Centre both the Coldwater and Nicola watersheds jumped from level 1 to level 3 drought. (The scale runs from 1-5)

Drought level 3 is classified as ‘Adverse impacts possible’.

Head of the BC River Forecast Centre Dave Campbell joined Q101 to discuss the two watersheds in the Nicola Valley.

“Its definitely been a combination of factors. It’s been really dry really if we look at the last two, three months, there really hasn’t been much precipitation through the region,” began Campbell. “That really been the backdrop is this prolonged dry-spell and then through in the unprecedented extreme heat we’ve had.”

credit – River Forecast Centre

“We’re starting to really see the impacts on the rivers in the region,” added Campbell.

As the water levels lower, the City of Merritt is usually asked to implement stricter watering restrictions on residents to help protect the fish habitat in the Coldwater River.

Currently the City is allowing residents to water their lawns twice per week.