While it's too premature to say whether B.C. is headed for a California-style drought, the signs are there and Canadian officials have begun to adopt some of the drought management tactics employed by their U.S. counterparts.
A level 4 drought advisory means regional water managers could impose further water use restrictions.
"Any such actions will be site-specific depending on individual stream conditions," the news release notes. "Specific actions could include the temporary suspension of short-term water approvals or water licenses in affected watersheds if necessary."
British Columbia government fisheries biologists are monitoring about 60 key angling streams through the province as low water levels can impede the passage of salmon to spawning grounds, increase susceptibility to disease, or cause stranding or death due to low oxygen and high water temperatures.
Metro Vancouver remains under Stage 2 water restrictions, which limits lawn watering and other non-essential uses. Reservoirs are 73 per cent full, which is below the normal range for this time.