Drought in agriculture

Last updated on January 15, 2025

Prolonged periods of dry weather can cause crop damage and water supply shortages for livestock. Learn how to manage and develop strategies to use water more efficiently. 

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Don’t have time to browse through the resources on this page? Check out our Quick guide to drought resources (PDF, 244.4KB).

Planning for water storage? A new Dugout feature is now available as part of the BC Agriculture Water Calculator to help.

On this page

Drought resources 

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Tools 

 

Training and workshops 

Video resources 

 

Financial assistance for agricultural producers impacted by fire and drought

There are various existing programs that offer different levels of support for producers who are preparing for and who are impacted by drought. Key programs are below. 

 

Health and wellness preparedness for producers 

Life on the farm can be very stressful. You are not alone. Help is available to farmers and their families to help reduce stress and improve their well-being.  

Recovering from the effects of disaster can seem overwhelming. Recovery does not happen overnight, it is a journey that will take some time.

For some with minimal impacts, the journey may be relatively short, while for others, it may be a long and winding road that takes several years.

The Government of British Columbia cares about the well-being of producers and processors, workers, and their families and recognizes that they face unique challenges that can lead to health and wellness issues.

There is help out there whenever it is needed. Reach out to a friend or use an anonymous service to share your experience and feelings with people who care.

You matter, and you're important. We're all in this together. Access health and wellness resources

This section has been adapted with permission from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs’ Mental Health Toolkit resource.

Legal requirements for B.C.'s water resources 

Before diverting or using water, or working in and around water bodies, become familiar with the legal requirements that may apply. 

All water in British Columbia is vested in the Crown on behalf of the residents of the province. In most jurisdictions, municipal and provincial, there may be:

  • Requirements for minimum setback distances from public roadways
  • Permit or licence requirements for the diversion and use and/or storage of surface water and groundwater

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) is responsible for provincial water management activities, including water policy, planning and administration of B.C.s Water Sustainability Act (WSA). As such, WLRS is the key lead in determining and implementing appropriate response actions in times of drought or water scarcity. During these times, the Province has several tools at their disposal under the WSA, including the ability to issue temporary protection orders (TPOs), which require certain water users to curtail their water use to protect fish populations and the aquatic ecosystem.

Please consult appropriate authorities to ensure compliance with existing regulations. To learn more about provincial requirements, visit the Water Licensing and Rights webpage, which includes the Water licensing for agriculture factsheet. 

Find provincial contacts at FrontCounter BC.

Contact information

Do you have questions?  Please contact us.