Water levels in the Kiskatinaw River are rising, though they are not approaching their seasonal standard, said the mayor and chief administrative officer in their latest updates for city council.
Dawson Creek will extend its state of local emergency as its sole source of water, the Kiskatinaw River, struggled to reach its standard water level this year. The dryness is partially due to the years-long drought in the Peace region and forced the city to rely on its stored water reservoirs this summer.
Now, with winter approaching, the city’s Mayor Darcy Dober, alongside chief administrative officer, Kevin Henderson, said it is important for the council to act “proactively.”
“This isn’t necessarily a state of emergency for today. This is for what’s about to come, the future (and) into the winter. It’s really about being proactive to what’s coming and we needed to do this to move forward,” said Dober, who wanted to emphasize that the city is not yet out of water.
Currently, Henderson reported the Kiskatinaw River’s water levels as being at about ten to 15 per cent of the standard levels, though he noted the flow measurements did not include the recent snowfall in parts of the Peace. Environment Canada reported 11-17 centimetres of snowfall in the northeastern region. Despite this wintery weather, the river has not frozen yet. This means the city’s limited reservoirs can still be filled for now, Henderson explained.
“We would have gotten, at least, part way up through the watershed (from the wet snow),” he said. “It’s good moisture, nonetheless.”
As a long-term solution to the water shortage, the city is working alongside the province, regional district, and other stakeholders on an urgent project for a water pipeline. According to the preliminary plan, the city would connect to south Taylor’s Peace River and use various pumping stations to direct the water.
The public consultation period closed last Thursday, Oct. 23, but Dober said if residents have any questions about the shortage or the pipeline, they should contact the city. The mayor said he would be glad to confirm information or dispel any rumours.
