The B.C. government has released its latest Drought and Water Scarcity Bulletin, with data current to July 9.
The report shows East Vancouver Island, from Campbell River to Victoria, is at Level 4 on the province’s drought severity scale. Level 5 is the most severe.
West Vancouver Island, including Port Hardy, Tofino and Port Renfrew, is at Level 2, while the South Coast, which includes the Sunshine Coast, is at Level 3.
The bulletin says recent rain and cooler temperatures have slowed the decline in streamflows along the South Coast. However, groundwater levels continue to decline across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
The province said water releases from reservoir systems on Vancouver Island are continuing to balance current and future flow needs to protect salmon populations.
Forecasters expect hotter and drier conditions to return across much of the province in the coming weeks, particularly in eastern B.C.
