Temporary orders protect chinook salmon in Thompson Okanagan

As severe drought conditions continue to affect river levels in the Thompson Okanagan region, fish-population protection orders will protect endangered chinook salmon in the Salmon River and Bessette Creek by temporarily restricting water use for forage crops and identified industrial purposes.

The Salmon River and Bessette Creek have seen persistent low streamflows that are threatening the survival of spawning chinook populations. The fish-population protection orders will help restore water-flow levels and protect the salmon run.

Effective Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, 490 surface-water and groundwater licences and transitioning groundwater users in the Salmon River and Bessette Creek watersheds within the assessed curtailment area are affected by the orders to stop using water for forage crops, which include grass for hay, alfalfa and forage corn. Irrigation of forage crops is one of the most water-intensive agricultural water uses. Nineteen licences are also affected by the order for the Salmon River watershed to stop using water for lawns, fairways and garden industrial purposes.

The orders do not apply to authorized water use for purposes other than irrigation for feed crops and industrial lawn, fairway and garden.

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.