Dawson Creek residents now have fewer restrictions on water use after city council approved a move away from strict conservation measures.
Council has voted to reduce water conservation measures from Stage 3 to Stage 1 after city staff reported that the Kiskatinaw River has improved, with reservoir levels returning to healthier conditions and river flows back to more typical ranges.
Dawson Creek’s raw water storage reservoirs currently provide more than 170 days of supply, giving the city time to respond if conditions change.
Stage 3 restrictions had been in place since July 2025, when prolonged drought conditions significantly reduced water supply and raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of the system.
Those strict measures remained through the winter months due to fears that low river flows could freeze intake infrastructure and disrupt water withdrawal.
City officials say conditions have since stabilized, thanks in part to a more typical winter snowfall and spring freshet.
“Over the past several months, the City team has done an incredible job closely monitoring conditions, tracking data, and planning for a range of scenarios to help protect our water system,” said Mayor Darcy Dober.
The approved change allows residents and businesses greater flexibility in water use, including expanded lawn watering and the resumption of potable water hauling for industrial purposes such as hydraulic fracturing.
City staff said the decision reflects council’s willingness to respond to changing environmental conditions.
“Council was responsive when water was becoming scarce, and it should also be responsive when things have improved,” the report to council stated.
Despite the improved outlook, officials cautioned that long-range forecasts still suggest the potential for a dry summer, adding the city will continue to closely monitor the Kiskatinaw River and overall water supply.
In the short term, the city has relied on strict water conservation measures, reservoir storage, and contingency planning, including a potential emergency water transfer system from the Peace River, to maintain supply during low-flow conditions.
Long term, Dawson Creek is moving ahead with planning for a new permanent water source, with engineers currently assessing options, future demand, and infrastructure requirements as part of a multi-phase project aimed at improving long-term water security.