Watershed Planning

Boundary Integrated Watershed Service (BIWS)

Provincial drought levels, along with additional drought information, for the Kettle River and Okanagan River watersheds available at BC Drought Information Portal.
The RDKB general recommendations for reducing water use based on the Provincial drought levels are outlined in the Boundary Region Drought Response Plan (2021) and summarized below:

  • Level 3: recommends 30% reduction in water use based on the quantity of water licensed
  • Level 4: recommends 50% reduction in water use based on the quantity of water licensed
  • Level 5: recommends maximum reduction in all water use where possible

Every drop counts, reduce water use while continuing WaterSmart and FireSmart practices.
For more info see kettleriver.ca under the tab ‘Local Conditions’

Water conservation and effective water management are necessary to ensure the sustainability and prosperity of the entire Kettle River Watershed.  The watershed is indeed an integrated ecological and hydrological system, and so our service, too, is integrated to include a variety of regional partners.
The Boundary Integrated Watershed Service was established in 2018 and is responsible for:

  • Implementing the goals and actions laid out in the Kettle River Watershed Management Plan 
  • Coordinating projects to benefit all Boundary watersheds including the West Kettle and Kettle Rivers; Boundary Creek; Granby River; Christina Lake and Nine Mile Creek (which is located in the Okanagan River watershed). 

 

For Boundary Integrated Watershed Service (BIWS) and Boundary Region watershed reports and information, please visit: kettleriver.ca

Interested in learning more about potential impacts, adaptation, and mitigation options in response to the Boundary Region changing climate.  Visit: rdkb.com/Environment/Climate-Action.

The RDKB is in the process of updating Boundary region floodplain maps.  For information on the process and the recordings of the public engagements, please visit:  https://kettleriver.ca/category/info/floodmap/

For information on last years drought impacts, please visit: kettleriver.ca/category/conditions/drought/

Watersheds are essential to life. The RDKB carries out watershed planning to keep our waterways and ecosystems healthy so people and all life can thrive here in the Kootenay Boundary. Interested in checking out what we heard through the RDKB watershed webinar series: kettleriver.ca/category/watershed_webinars/.

Webinars included: 

The Kettle River Watershed Advisory Council

The Kettle River Watershed Advisory Council (kettleriver.ca/category/krwac/) holds 5 meetings a year, and is designed to advise the RDKB on:

  • Implementation of priorities and strategies in watershed related plans
  • Response to drought
  • Watershed projects
  • Specialized expertise when required

The Council is an RDKB committee formed of representatives from various Boundary sectors: agriculture, forestry, industry, mining, stewardship groups, tourism and recreation groups, water purveyors; as well as involvement by First Nations, other levels of government, and stakeholders with an interest or expertise in local watersheds. All meetings are open to the public, with an online option when possible. 2023 meeting schedule and online registration can be found at the RDKB Meeting Calendar: rdkb.com/Regional-Government/Meetings and at kettleriver.ca.

 Interested in knowing more? Visit RDKB webpage kettleriver.ca or email watershedplanner@rdkb.com.