Campbell River Water Restrictions 2026

Campbell River is served by the City of Campbell River Water Services, with source water drawn from the John Hart watershed. The watershed feeds both the city's municipal water system and BC Hydro's John Hart Generating Station – the same water that supplies Campbell River drinking water also drives one of BC Hydro's significant generating facilities. Operational coordination between BC Hydro and the City handles seasonal flow allocations. Stage 1 came into effect May 1, 2026 and is in place annually from May 1 to September 30. Stage 1 routinely activates each summer to manage peak-demand pressure on the city's water-production capacity (peak afternoon demand can otherwise surpass daily production limits during the late spring and summer). Stage 1 has historically been sufficient most years; Stage 2 (2 days per week) and Stage 3 (1 day per week) escalations are available if conditions worsen. Local context: Campbell River markets itself as 'the Salmon Capital of the World' for its sport-fishing economy on Discovery Passage and the Campbell River salmon-spawning systems. The city is the gateway to Strathcona Provincial Park (the largest provincial park in British Columbia, on Vancouver Island). Wei Wai Kum First Nation and Homalco First Nation have territory in and adjacent to the city; tribal jurisdiction for specific parcels is coordinated with city utility frameworks. The BC Hydro John Hart Generating Station was redeveloped 2014-2018; the modernised facility has improved fish passage and watershed-flow management compared to the original 1947 facility.