Provincial Drought Level 4 for Kootenay Boundary
By Boundary Sentinel
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary in a press release Friday said the BC Government has issued a Level 4 Drought for the Kootenay Boundary region (the entire Kettle River Watershed) as of Friday, September 8, 2017.
“With little to no precipitation, our recently overflowing rivers are now drying up,” the RDKB said.
“The Granby River, Kettle and West Kettle River are all at or below critical low flow levels. These flow thresholds are the minimum necessary for the next generation of fish and other aquatic species to survive. So far, there isn’t a fishing ban in effect but that may change with little to no rain in the forecast.”
The City of Grand Forks is implementing Level 3 water restrictions beginning Monday, September 11, 2017.
The RDKB said this drought season is showing more extremes, with water flow levels even lower than the 2015 Drought.
“At Level 4, the Province asks that residents, municipalities, industry and farmers use at least 50% less water than normal,” the RDKB said. “Many people in the Boundary obtain their water from the aquifers via their groundwater wells. This withdrawal also impacts the rivers since in this region the rivers are recharged by the aquifers later in the season.”
The RDKB said all residents of the Kettle River Watershed region, which spans from Big White to Christina Lake, are urged to conserve water.
The Kettle River Watershed Authority will have a booth at the Grand Forks Fall Fair this weekend Saturday and Sunday, next weekend at the Rock Creek Fall Fair and at the Harvest Festival on September 30 in Grand Forks.
Come visit us and learn water saving tips and conservation techniques.
