The province has placed the region on a level four drought rating, warning local water managers could turn off the taps to conserve fish stocks.
The level four rating — the highest — was placed on the South Thompson, Similkameen, Kettle and Skagit areas. Those areas join the South Coast, Nicola and Vancouver Island as stricken with level four drought.
Kamloops sits on the border between the North and South Thompson regions. The North Thompson is in level two drought.
Level four drought means there is insufficient water supply to meet socioeconomic and ecosystem needs and includes voluntary conservation, restrictions and regulatory response.
The status allows temporary suspensions of water licences if deemed necessary, usually to protect fish stocks.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Development said further declines in lake and stream levels could lead to shortage affecting agriculture, fish and people.
It has urged conservation of water, noting users with intakes in streams should ensure they are screened to prevent fish from being pulled in as levels drop.
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