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Notice:

In accordance with our obligations under B.C.’s Election Act, this site will not be updated during the provincial election period, except in the case of emerging public health and safety information or topics that are statutory in nature.

Water suspensions for industry is being expanded due to continued drought conditions.

DATE ISSUED: July 12, 2023

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately

With drought conditions persisting across the province and minimal forecasted precipitation, the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) is requiring oil and gas operators to immediately suspend previously approved water diversions under Section 10 of the Water Sustainability Act, due to low flows. This includes rivers, streams and lakes in the following basins within the Peace River and Liard River watersheds:

Peace River Watershed:

  • Pine River (Sukunka River, Murray River)
  • Beatton River (Doig River, Osborn River, Blueberry River)
  • Kiskatinaw River

Liard River Watershed:

  • Fontas River
  • Sikanni Chief River
  • Prophet River
  • Kiwigana River

Diversion and use of water stored in dugouts or dams is not suspended. Basins across B.C. are being monitored and further suspensions of water diversions are possible if conditions continue.

Given local variability, it is possible some streams in the areas under suspension will have recovered sufficiently to allow some water withdrawal. The BCER will review new applications for diversion, or requests to use existing approvals, on a site-specific basis.

Permit holders can discuss the suspension with the BCER and submit a request for continued water use under an existing Section 10 approval, by providing location-specific data and subject matter expert opinion relevant to local streamflow conditions.

Operators are requested to do the following to support their application or request to use an existing Section 10 approval:

  1. Limit the application to water volumes and points of diversion that are realistic to the specific operational needs for the upcoming months.
  2. For new applications for diversion for water from rivers and streams, or to request use of existing approvals, provide a good discharge measurement at the point(s) of diversion, to provide information on current flow conditions in relation to the volume of water requested. The discharge measurement will be collected to an acceptable hydrometric standard by a qualified individual.
  3. For new applications for diversion from lakes, or reactivation of existing approvals, provide information on lake bathymetry:
    1. Surface area (hectares).
    2. Depth (metres). If lake depth information is not already available from provincial databases or previous surveys, obtain depth measurements at points along two transects representing the long and short lake axes, to determine maximum lake depth.
    3. Volume.

More information:

If you have any questions regarding this Directive, please contact:

Ryan Rolick, M.Sc., P.Geo.

Hydrologist

BC Energy Regulator

Ryan.Rolick@bc-er.ca

250-794-5213

Laurie Welch, Ph.D., P.Geo.

Executive Director, Responsible Stewardship

BC Energy Regulator

Laurie.Welch@bc-er.ca

250-980-6066