The drought rating for the region has been elevated due to record-breaking hot temperatures and dry conditions, according to the provincial government.
The entire Kootenay region is now at Level Three, which is considered very dry conditions that could carry the possibility of serious ecosystem or socio-economic impact.
City of Kimberley Senior Manager of Operations, Chris Mummery, says that while the city is monitoring the watersheds closely, there continues to be an adequate water supply in both Mark Creek and Matthew Creek systems.
While late August is typcially a time of low flow over the dam, and in local rivers and creeks, there is no cause for alarm at the moment.
Mummery does remind Kimberley residents that the city remains on Stage 1 water restrictions, which are always in effect as per the Water Shortasge Response Bylaw. Those stage 1 restrictions remain in effect until September 30, when they will be reassessed.
READ: New water restrictions
While there are no mandatory water restrictions in place, the provincial government says voluntary water conservation is strongly encouraged. However, local municipal water conservation bylaws may differ from provincial water conservation targets due to local water supply and demand, and the availability of storage (lakes and reservoirs) or groundwater.
Residential, agricultural and industrial water users who are located within municipalities and regional districts are encouraged to observe local water conservation bylaws where they exist.
The Level Three rating has been issued in other regions of the province such as the Lower Columbia, West Kootenay, Cariboo, South Thompson, Goldwater River, Salmon River, Skagit and Nechako.
There are no Level One ratings anywhere in the province right now, while the Northeast, Northwest, Stikine, Skeena-Nass areas, along with Vancouver Island, are all at Level Four.
Due to dry conditions, the province says that stream flows, from both tributaries and main-stem rivers are experience rapidly dropping levels, while some are at record lows.
Those record-low stream flows can put aquatic ecosystems at risk, as fish can become stranded in pools and exposed to high temperatures, which can be fatal. Low stream flows also puts fish at higher risks of predation.
