Ministry of FLNRO

Low Streamflow Advisories

Low Streamflow Advisory: Southern Interior B.C.
Updated: October 2, 2015 11:00 AM

The River Forecast Centre is updating the low streamflow advisory for:

  • Nicola
  • Similkameen
  • South Thompson
  • Okanagan
  • Kettle

Low streamflow conditions through most of the southern Interior remain in effect. While higher flows have been observed in response to rainfall over the past two weeks, many streams have shown a tendency to return to low flow conditions following the rainfall events. Precipitation over the past two weeks has been more limited in the Okanagan and Kettle, and as a result streamflow has remained low in those basins. Persistent low flow conditions in the South Interior are indicative of long-term rainfall deficits that developed over the summer and the low spring flows resulting from a low snowpack
In the Nicola basin, most gauged streams had improved flow conditions last week, but have receded to current flows between median and lower quartile for this time of year. 
In the Similkameen basin, the Tulameen and Similkameen rivers experienced above normal flows through the week of September 21st, but have receded back to lower quartile flows for this time of year.
In the South Thompson basin, streamflows are near lower quartile flow for most of the basin. 
In the Okanagan basin, streamflows between 51 to 80% of normal conditions persist in the southern regions of the basin. 
Similarly, in the Kettle basin, the Granby and Kettle rivers are below the lower quartile flows at this time and are stable. 
Environment Canada forecasts rainfall totals from 5 to 15 mm in the southern Interior over the next week. It is expected that streamflows conditions will improve with continued rain events through the fall period.
The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor conditions and will provide updates as conditions warrant. For streamflow conditions in other parts of the province, visit the RFC’s Low Streamflow Bulletins and Advisories webpage.   For information on drought levels across the province, fisheries closures and what you can do please visit the Living Water Smart website.

 

Conditions noted in this advisory are based on provisional data from the Water Survey of Canada (WSC) that are subject to final quality-control per the WSC. In some instances, particularly at extreme low flow conditions, the rating curve at a WSC station may not be well-calibrated and may result in a variance between the reported provisional streamflow data and field-measured flow data.