Water use restrictions in place to protect fish in Salmon River

A temporary water restriction has been put into place for the Salmon River Watershed in an effort to protect the local fish population.

The river and watershed in the Shuswap has seen persistently low streamflows due to the drought this summer, threatening the survival of local Chinook salmon populations.

The restriction, issued July 28, applies to drawing water from the source to use for irrigation of forage crops, such as grass for hay, alfalfa, and forage corn; and for irrigating lawns, fairways and gardens for industrial purposes.

The order was issued under B.C.’s Water Sustainability Act, with the province saying the restriction would be repealed if streamflows recover enough to protect the survival of the fish.