The Cowichan River reached record lows in 2022 during drought conditions. Vista File Photo
Environment
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Drought concerns slightly rise on Sunshine Coast, status quo for Vancouver Island

Wylie Henderson
By Wylie Henderson

The B.C. government has released its latest Drought and Water Scarcity Bulletin, with data current to Aug. 13.

East Vancouver Island, from Campbell River to Victoria, is at Drought Level 2, while the Sunshine Coast has moved up to Level 1 from Level 0 last week.

West Vancouver Island, from Port Hardy to Port Renfrew, remains at Level 0. B.C.’s drought scale ranges from Level 0 to Level 5, with Level 5 the most severe.

The report says conditions remain variable across the Coast area, with eastern Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast remaining dry. Impacts to fish habitat have been reported in several small coastal systems because of reduced flows and higher water temperatures.

Water continues to be released from Vancouver Island reservoirs where sufficient storage is available. Stream flows are expected to decline further without sustained precipitation in the immediate forecast.

Temperatures are expected to remain near or below normal across the province into early next week.

Click here to view the report.

– Article includes link from B.C. government for Aug. 13 Drought and Water Scarcity Bulletin

Wylie Henderson
Wylie Henderson
Wylie is news director for Vancouver Island, bringing more than a decade of broadcast experience to the role. A Vancouver native, he moved to the Island in 2025 with his wife and stepdaughter after a long run on the airwaves in the Kootenays. He is committed to delivering timely, reliable and community-focused news to listeners across the region. A lifelong Vancouver Canucks and B.C. Lions fan, Wylie is just as comfortable breaking down a game as he is breaking down a news story. Away from the newsroom, he can often be found on the golf course, cycling or lacing up his skates for a game of hockey. For Wylie, keeping listeners informed about what matters locally is more than a job, it’s a passion.

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