Bessette Creek water use restricted to protect salmon

A new fish protection order has been issued for the Bessette Creek watershed in the Thompson Okanagan to protect endangered Chinook salmon from the effects of severe drought. The order, issued by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, takes effect on August 28, 2026.

The mandate impacts 131 surface-water and groundwater licence holders. Restricted activities include the irrigation of forage crops, crop harvesting, greenhouse and nursery operations, ore processing, and well drilling. The ministry noted that despite previous voluntary conservation efforts, streamflows have reached record lows, threatening the survival of spawning salmon.

Bessette Creek, which flows through Lumby and is part of the Shuswap River watershed, is a culturally significant waterway that runs through the Splatsin First Nation’s main reserve. Provincial officials will continue to monitor streamflow levels and may lift the restrictions if conditions improve.