The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations announced today that Vancouver Island is now at Provincial Drought Level 4.  This is the highest drought level under the provincial scale and calls for immediate reductions in water use.  Further declines in stream, lake and aquifer levels could lead to water shortages and affect people, industry such as agriculture, wildlife, and fish stocks. All water users are urged to maximize their water conservation efforts.

Accompanying the move to Level 4 Drought Conditions is a ban on angling for most rivers on southern Vancouver Island.  Included in the ban are the Cowichan, Chemainus, and Koksilah Rivers.

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