Freshet and flood preparation for agriculture operations

Freshets (flooding caused by heavy rain or snow melt) and other types of flooding events can pose a serious threat to agricultural operations located in flood plains and low-lying areas. Learn more about how to be prepared for flooding if you work in B.C.’s agricultural industry.

On this page:

• Prepare your operation for flooding
• Well disinfection
• Flood forecasting

Prepare your operation for flooding

Learn about flood risks in your area

Floodplain maps identify areas that experience periodic flooding from nearby rivers, lakes, streams, and the sea. Floodplain maps also show minimum elevations for floodproofing.

Improve your operation’s resilience to flooding

• BC Climate Change Adaptation Program’s (CCAP) Farm Flood Readiness Toolkit helps producers prepare for and recover from flooding.
• Check to see if your industry or association has developed an emergency guide.
• Review the Animal Health Emergency Management Project’s Emergency Response Procedures for Non-disease Emergencies. The document is for producers and animal caregivers to help prepare and respond to emergencies.
• Review Emergency Preparedness Tips for your industry.
  1. Emergency Preparedness Tips for Flooding: Livestock Sector (PDF, 133 KB)
  2. Emergency Preparedness Tips for Flooding: Horticulture Sector (PDF, 108 KB)

Develop an evacuation plan for farmworkers on-site

• Learn what is expected of employers during evacuation orders and alerts

Understand the health and safety risks from extreme weather

Access resources to reduce farm worker exposure to health hazards from floods.

• Help reduce workers risk of exposure to cold stress with WorkSafeBC
• AgSafe’s video discusses ways to stay safe when working in the elements

Set-up Premises Identification

Premises Identification (ID) information is used to plan for and manage emergencies affecting livestock. The Premises ID program improves the ministry's ability to:

• notify animal owners
• contain pest and animal disease outbreaks
• respond to natural disasters like floods or fires

B.C. poultry and livestock owners and commingling site operators must register. There is no cost to take part in the program. Learn more about Premises ID or register your premises.

Well disinfection

Water wells and groundwater can be contaminated during flooding events due to the inflow of flood waters into the well or aquifer. While there are ways to rehabilitate a well affected by surface flood water, well owners should take steps before and after flooding to minimize any potential impacts. Learn more about well protection, well disinfection and water quality:

• Learn more about well protection, well disinfection and water quality

Flood forecasting

The links below take you to provincial and national agencies with information, advisories, forecasts and/or warnings on streamflow and/or conditions that may lead to an increased flood risk in your area.