Photo: Agriculture Canada

The drought situation has degraded rapidly in B.C. over the past month.

The federal agriculture ministry says declarations of D2 severe drought have spread significantly to the entire Thompson-Okanagan. A pocket of D3 extreme drought has been noted in the Kootenays near Creston. The federal system tops out at D4.

The so-called “heat dome” that shattered temperature records last week hit the BC Interior the hardest, according to the monthly federal drought report.

The B.C. Interior has received less than 40 per cent of normal precipitation in the last 90 days — roughly translating to 55 to 150 mm less than normal precipitation.

“Below-normal precipitation and recent intense heat lead to increased evapotranspiration and poor moisture conditions resulting in increased drought extent and severity,” Agriculture Canada said.

Meanwhile, the provincial government issued a statement Friday urging residents in drought-stricken areas to conserve water.

In particular, the Salmon River watershed that drains into Shuswap Lake is currently at Drought Level 4 on the provincial government’s five level scale.

“In this area, significant, adverse impacts on fish are very likely, and maximum water conservation for all water users and licensees is being urged,” the province said.

Most of the rest of the Okanagan is sitting at a Drought Level 3 on the provincial scale.

Irrigators, water licensees and water users in watersheds experiencing water scarcity are being told to prepare for additional targeted water restrictions.

Cities throughout the Thompson-Okanagan started to announce stage one water restrictions this week.

Okanagan Lake, meanwhile, is roughly 70 cm below where it was this time last year.

Photo: Agriculture Canada

May to June comparison of drought picture in B.C.