Drought Affecting Salmon

If you see drought conditions in your area that are impacting salmon habitat or might be impeding salmon migration, please use the reporting tool below.

With much of B.C. expected to experience drought this summer, we will likely see adverse effects on habitat.  Warm stream temperatures and drought are two significant factors that can affect salmon survival and reproductive success. Parched streams and side-channels along rivers become unviable habitat for returning adult salmon and juveniles.

NOTE

Reports received through this Drought Affecting Salmon Reporting Tool will improve our collective knowledge of climate change with more eyes on the ground, and will be shared with DFO, the Province of B.C., and other technical experts.

OBSERVE

Look for low water levels that are leaving fish stranded or impeding the passage of salmon to their spawning grounds.

DOCUMENT

Note the location and adverse conditions you are seeing, along with any other details you think might be helpful. If you can, document with photos.

REPORT

Report the details using PSF’s drought reporting tool and provide your contact information so we can get in touch with you if further information is needed.

For concerns regarding human activities impacting salmon, such as damage to fish habitat or pollution, or for enforcement issues, please contact the DFO ORR line via email or phone.

(Email: DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca Call toll free: 1-800-465-4336, In greater Vancouver call: 604-607-4186)

SUBMIT A REPORT

For questions or assistance with this reporting tool, please contact emergencyresponse@psf.ca

News and Updates

Reconnecting salmon habitat damaged by B.C.’s atmospheric river

The Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) has approved $7,000 in funding from the Climate Emergency Fund to support time-sensitive efforts in Ucluelet and Squamish to prevent salmon strandings and mortalities in light of recent heavy rains. An…
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River flows restored just in time for returning sockeye

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During the extreme flooding event in November 2021 that severely impacted the Fraser Valley, the right arm of Big Silver River was blocked by debris and disconnected from Harrison Lake when water levels dropped in the summer months.
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Drought risk remains a pressing issue for salmon in B.C.

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Record-low snowpack, below-average freshet, and lingering drought conditions from 2023 set the stage for a challenging summer in salmon-bearing watersheds. Drought conditions in British Columbia stretching back to 2022 continue to put pressure…
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