B.C. drought: Okanagan region issued Level 4 rating

The B.C. government just added the Okanagan to its list of extremely dry areas and increased its drought rating to its highest category of Level 4

It joins Vancouver Island and much of the southern interior ofB.C. including the South Thompson,Similkameen, Kettle andSkagitareas that have alreadybeentagged with the highest possible drought rating.

A Level 4 classification means the area is extremely dry and further declinesin stream, lake and aquifer levels could lead to water shortages and affect people, industry such as agriculture, wildlife and fish stocks.

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It also means regional water managers may take additional regulatory actions if they are deemed necessary, such asthe temporary suspension of water licences.

Angling was alsosuspended until Sept. 30on the main stem of theOkanagan River between Okanagan Lakeand Osoyoos Lake.

"The closure has been put in place to protect fish stocks at a time when they are vulnerable due to high water temperatures," the government said in a press release on Thursday.

The province says it hopes people in the area will conserve as much water as possible.