The first week of summer may have officially started on Tuesday (June 21), but the warm weather leading up to June has environment experts preparing for drought conditions in the Nicola Valley.

The Nicola region currently sits at level two of four according to the provincial government’s scale for drought conditions.

Level two is classified as “dry conditions, with first indications of a potential water supply problem,” explained Greig Bethel, a public affairs officer with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

“The objective at level two is voluntary conservation with a target of a minimum 10 per cent reduction in water use,” he added.

While no mandatory water restrictions have been issued yet, the ministry anticipates worsening drought conditions in the region as the summer drags on, barring any unforeseen, substantial precipitation.

“While recent rains have eased drought concerns in some parts of B.C., the rapid loss of snowpack in the spring due to warmer-than-normal temperatures is expected to cause low streamflows in late summer,” said Bethel.

According the province’s seven-day average streamflow map, accessible online, the Nicola River near Spence’s Bridge is flowing at 32 per cent of its regular flow, while the same river, measured near Nicola Lake was flowing at less than half of its median rate this time of year.

Last summer, the Nicola region sat at a level two drought from May 15 to July 3, when it was upgraded to level three. Between July 21 and September 3, the Nicola region was at the highest drought level four.

As drought levels intensify, more restrictions are placed on the use of water in the area, said Bethel.

“Water conservation is everyone’s responsibility. Many communities in B.C. are prepared to deal with water supply shortages and low streamflow conditions by drought management plans and water conservation programs that are already in place, including municipal bylaws,” said Bethel.