BCER Expands Water Suspensions to include the Coldwater River (DIR 2024-01)

Water use suspensions are being expanded to include diversions from the Coldwater River due to continued drought conditions.

DATE ISSUED: July 19, 2024

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately

With drought conditions escalating in parts of the province, the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) is expanding water use suspensions. Oil and gas operators must immediately suspend previously approved water diversions (those issued under Section 10 of the Water Sustainability Act) from the Coldwater River (Fraser River Watershed).

Below is the current list of water sources under water use suspensions (water sources added as per the present Directive are marked with asterisks):

Fraser River Watershed:

Coldwater River*
Salmon River

Peace River Watershed:

Beatton River (Doig River, Osborn River, Blueberry River)
Kiskatinaw River
Sukunka River
Murray River
Pack 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:

Limit the application to water volumes and points of diversion that are realistic to the specific operational needs for the upcoming months.
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.
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: