The BC River Forecast Centre says the drought rating could soon be bumped up in places around the province.

Section head Dave Campbell says there are well below normal flows in many rivers and streams, with the spring freshet finishing early.

“We’re seeing a pretty rapid shift. And the reason why often a lot of parts of the Interior don’t always get bumped up until a bit later is because we’re still in the melt season. So the flows are pretty high, seasonally speaking,” Campbell says.

“We are starting to turn the corner now, particularly in the low to mid elevation sites. So kind of tributary channels, say… tributaries out towards Cache Creek or the Nicola River. Those are all sort of down the receding-side of the snow melt curb.”

The drought level ratings range from 1 to4, between normal and extremely dry. Right now, most regions of B.C. are at a drought level two rating. Officials recently increased the drought level to a 3 rating – or “very dry” – on Vancouver Island and in Northeast B.C.

(Photo: Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association)