The B.C. government has released its latest Drought and Water Scarcity Bulletin, with data current to July 30.
The report shows East Vancouver Island, from Campbell River to Victoria, is at Level 2 on the province’s drought severity index. Level 5 is the most severe rating.
The region was rated Level 3 last week.
The West Island, including Port Hardy, Tofino and Port Renfrew, and the South Coast, including the Sunshine Coast, are not currently rated on the province’s drought severity index. Both areas were rated Level 2 last week.
The report says recent rainfall has provided some relief for western Vancouver Island and much of the central and south coasts, but concerns remain about below-normal groundwater levels, reduced fish habitat and unsuitable water temperatures.
The province is also providing ongoing reporting on East Vancouver Island watersheds through the 2026 water scarcity levels pilot, which also includes watersheds in the Okanagan and Nicola regions.
“Water scarcity assessments are completed by the West Coast Regional Drought Technical Working Group with input from the Tsolum and Koksilah Low Flow Working Groups,” said the report. “The approach is expected to expand over time.”
The pilot project includes the Tsolum River, Koksilah River, French Creek and Chemainus River watersheds.
Elsewhere, drought conditions are becoming increasingly severe across much of the southern Interior, with hot and dry weather expected to continue through next week.
Click here to view the latest Drought and Water Scarcity Bulletin, the next edition is due Aug. 6.
– Article includes files from the Province of British Columbia
