Advisory for DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia

[Return to British Columbia | Return to province list]

DAWSON CREEK

Type: Severe Shortage  -  Active

Issued: 1/9/2026

Details:

State-of-Emergency has been renewed to January 20, 2026. Kiskatinaw River, the communitys water source, is at record-low levels, posing a risk of the river freezing solid. This Water System supplies about 15,000 people in the City and surrounding rural residents, including the Village of Pouce Coupe.

October 14, 2025 State-of-Emergency declared due to ongoing water crisis, a severe and prolonged drought that has significantly reduced the communitys available water supply despite years of conservation, careful management, and investment in water infrastructure. Stage 3 Water Conservation Measures have been in place since September. 

The City is currently seeking approval to construct a new intake system on the Peace River and a 52-kilometre transmission pipeline running from Taylor to Dawson Creek, complete with pumping stations to move water through the system.  Tapping into groundwater aquifers became an “unviable option” when the supply was found to be brackish, containing a salinity level of 0.5g and 3.0g of salt per litre, therefore not suitable for potable water.