Dawson Creek, a city in northeastern British Columbia, faces a growing water crisis due to an ongoing severe drought. The city is moving quickly to build a $100-million water pipeline as the Kiskatinaw River — its main source of drinking water — hits record low levels.
The river serves about 15,000 people, but water levels have dropped so much that the city fears the supply will soon fall below daily needs. Mayor Darcy Dober said the city is asking the provincial government for help to find new water sources. He also wants the province to speed up the pipeline approval process by exempting it from a full environmental assessment. This exemption could reduce the review time from five years to two. Still, Dober said even two years may be too long if drought conditions worsen.
“This is the number one priority for our community’s future,” said Mayor Dober. “This is about 50 years, 100 years down the road.”
Currently, Dawson Creek and the Kiskatinaw watershed are under Level 3 drought conditions, signaling severe dryness. In late July, the average seven-day streamflows of the Kiskatinaw hit their lowest ever recorded. Although recent rain brought a small rise, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says water flows remain at historic lows for this time of year.
Bearhole Lake, a protected region that feeds the Kiskatinaw, is also drying up. This area depends entirely on seasonal rain and snow for water. Mayor Dober explained, “We get two or three days of rain, and the next day, there’s not even puddles around. The ground soaks it up faster than it falls.”
The province recently launched a new drought-tracking system to better monitor water supplies across B.C. This system tracks how much water communities store and how well rivers and creeks flow. As the dry summer months continue, this tool will help officials understand and respond to drought risks.
In response to the crisis, the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) is guiding Dawson Creek through the pipeline exemption review process. However, the city has not yet formally submitted the necessary applications. Once submitted, the EAO will begin a 90-day consultation involving governments, First Nations, and the public. After this, the city must provide detailed project plans. The EAO will then review the plans and make a recommendation to the environment minister.
A spokesperson for the EAO said, “We appreciate the urgency of the situation and are working closely with the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship to ensure a timely and transparent review.” The EAO is also collaborating with the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness to prepare for emergency actions if drought conditions continue into the fall. These efforts aim to balance Dawson Creek’s water needs while protecting the Kiskatinaw River’s environmental flows.
Dawson Creek officials trace the drought back to 2021’s heat dome, a major heat wave that set the stage for ongoing dryness. Kevin Henderson, the city’s chief administrative officer, has worked with water management in Dawson Creek for almost 30 years. He noted that past city councils wisely invested in reservoirs and storage weirs to support water supply. Still, he said the current drought has stretched these systems to their limits.
“We never expected a four-year drought,” Henderson said. “We planned for one-year droughts and invested accordingly. Our system has been very resilient, but now we believe we’re at a tipping point.”
Since July 25, Stage 2 water restrictions have been in place. These limit outdoor residential watering and restrict industrial water use, including large water draws for hydraulic fracturing. Dawson Creek’s storage reservoirs currently hold about 200 days of water. However, using these reserves is a last resort, as it could lead to stricter water limits for residents and businesses.
Henderson said the city must act now. “All the studies done over the years suggest what we’re seeing will become more common,” he said. “Our environment is growing drier, and we have to prepare for a future with less water.”
The city’s $100-million pipeline plan reflects the urgent need to secure a stable, long-term water supply. Without action, Dawson Creek risks serious shortages that could affect its residents and local economy for decades.
