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

Drought conditions dried up a salmon-bearing river near Kamloops, B.C., leaving narrow channels and dried up habitat.

As B.C. enters another drought season, how will salmon fare?

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Extreme drought conditions have impacted watersheds in British Columbia for several years, and 2025 is no exception. Emergency fish salvage and monitoring efforts are underway due to exceptionally warm and dry weather this year that has led to low flows and warm waters, causing life-threatening challenges for salmon.
Read more
Researchers hold water sample bags from the river, canal, and floodplain, demonstrating the productivity of invertebrates in the floodplain.

Reviving floodplains for salmon in the Fraser River

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Floodplains provide critical, food-rich habitat for juvenile salmon. These low-lying areas adjacent to stream channels allow young salmon to grow healthy and strong before their journey to the ocean. Floodplains form seasonally when water…
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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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