Drought Levels

The Province uses a 4 level drought classification to explain the severity and appropriate level of response to drought conditions. These levels are explained in the table below.  Provincial Drought levels are reported for large water basins across the province; thus, the Provincial Drought Level reported for Vancouver Island represents average conditions across the entire Island, and does not always reflect local conditions.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District applies the same methods to determine the regional drought level.  Both these levels are reported above, and the drought dial is a reflection of the current drought conditions in the Cowichan Valley.

For a full explanation of how the drought level is determined, as well as the roles and responsibilities of various levels of government in responding to drought conditions, see the British Columbia Drought Response Plan.