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By Liam Verster

Temporary Water Use Restrictions

Temporary restrictions ordered to protect salmon in Okanagan, Thompson regions

Sep 8, 2025 | 12:22 PM

The B.C. Government is taking steps to protect local salmon populations.

With the drought conditions persisting throughout the Okanagan and Thompson regions, the province issued temporary fish-protection orders to protect endangered chinook salmon in the Salmon River and Bessette Creeks by restricting water use for forage crops and identified industrial purposes.

The two waterways have seen persistent low streamflows threaten the survival of spawning chinooks.

The restrictions took effect Monday, Sept. 8, and affected 490 surface-water and groundwater licences for watering crops including hay and grass, alfalfa and forage corn, as well as 19 licences for watering lawns, fairways and garden industrial purposes.

The orders do not apply to those without the licences.

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“Affected water users will be contacted directly with a copy of the signed order. Affected licence numbers and application numbers for transitioning groundwater users are identified in the orders,” the province said in a release.

“Temporary protection orders are issued as a last resort, recognizing the impact on farmers and ranchers. In recent years, the province has worked with farmers, ranchers and business organizations in the Salmon River and Bessette Creek area to find long-term, proactive solutions to improve water security in drought-prone watersheds.”

The orders were issued under the Water Sustainability Act with the stated goal of “avoiding significant or irreversible harm to aquatic ecosystems.”

Ranchers or farmers affected by the ongoing drought conditions were encouraged to contact the AgriService B.C. line at 1-888-221-7141.