Re: Low Water Advisory and Water Conservation Request

Date: XXX

To: South Thompson Watershed Water Licence Holders

Re: Low Water Advisory and Water Conservation Request

Responding to the continued dry conditions, the Province of BC is announcing a Level 4 drought for the XXX NicolaSouth Thompson Wwatershed based on declining steam flows. Aligning with the Provincial Drought Response Plan, the target under Drought Level 4 conditions is defined as increased voluntary conservation, potential restrictions and regulatory actions if required. a maximum reduction in water use. All licensed surface water users are reminded of the 30% voluntary reduction from the Level 3 Drought sent the week of July 20, 2015 XXXXX and are advised that regulatory actions are being prepared in the event these conditions continue.

The extremely low water levels in the Nicola watershed (main streams include the Nicola and Coldwater Rivers and their tributaries) are threatening a number of fish populations in the watershed. The most obvious impact is to the adult Chinook salmon returning to these sources between May and September to spawn in the late summer. The early run of Chinook has already arrived and most of the late run fish will arrive in August. Other fish impacted by low summer water levels include juvenile Steelhead, coho salmon, chinook salmon and mountain whitefish and rainbow trout.

The extremely low water levels in the South Thompson watershed are threatening a number of fish populations. Examples of affected streams include the Salmon River and other Shuswap Lake tributaries, plus Shuswap River tributaries such as Fortune Creek, Trinity Creek and Bessette Creek. The most obvious impact is to the adult Chinook salmon returning to these sources between May and September to spawn in the late summer. Other fish impacted by low summer water levels include mountain whitefish and rainbow trout, as well as juvenile coho and chinook salmon.

The extremely low water levels in the Kettle watershed are threatening a number of fish populations. Sport fish impacted by low summer water levels mountain whitefish and rainbow trout.

The extremely low water levels in the Similkameen watershed are threatening a number of fish populations. Sport fish impacted by low summer water levels mountain whitefish and rainbow trout.

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Okanagan Shuswap Natural Resource District Address: 2501 14 Ave Vernon, BC V1T 8Z1 Tel: (250)558-1700

The extremely low water levels in the South Thompson watershed are threatening a number of fish populations. Examples of affected streams include the Salmon River and other Shuswap Lake tributaries, plus Shuswap River tributaries such as Fortune Creek, Trinity Creek and Bessette Creek. The most obvious impact is to the adult Chinook salmon returning to these sources between May and September to spawn in the late summer. Other fish impacted by low summer water levels include mountain whitefish and rainbow trout, as well as juvenile coho and chinook salmon.

Continued normal Water water withdrawals from the South Thompsonthe Nicola XXX watershed will exacerbate the highly stressful conditions on these fish populations. tThus Reducing reducing all water use is important.

Further, Curtailing curtailing specific types of water use is critical, including licensed surface water withdrawals for irrigation, processing, mining, and waterworks purposes from streams not supported by licenced storage. If your water licence is supported by storage, please ensure no additional water is stored outside the licence terms (usually June 15 or 30) by releasing all inflows along with the licenced downstream demand. If you have any questions about water licensing in the NicolaSouth Thompson Watershed, please contact the Okanagan Shuswap Natural Resource District at 250-558-1700. a Water Stewardship Officer at 250-378-8400.

Groundwater extraction from aquifers that are hydrologicallly connected to a stream generally include wells completed in unconfined sand and gravel aquifers where the intake is not separated from the surface water body by a confining (eg. clay) layer. Your voluntary compliance in reducing use from these sources is important for maintaining cool groundwater inputs into streams in the Nicola Similkameen watershed this summer, and for preventing long-term groundwater level declines in the aquifer. If you have any questions about your well, local aquifers, or groundwater use in your area, please contact the Thompson/Okanagan Regional Groundwater Staff at 250- 371-6280 490-2285 for the Groundwater Protection Officer or at 250-490-8265371-6206 for the Regional Hydrogeologist.

We appreciate your consideration to the ecosystem and understand the hardships that may be encountered by reducing water use.

Many thanks,

Robert Warner A/District Manager Okanagan Shuswap Natural Resource District Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Okanagan Shuswap Natural Resource District Address: 2501 14 Ave Vernon, BC V1T 8Z1 Tel: (250)558-1700