Salt Spring Island experiencing drought conditions

WATCH: Salt Spring Island is now experiencing drought conditions. Kylie Stanton reports on how officials are dealing with the crisis.

It’s surrounded by water, but Salt Spring Island is drying up.

Since April, only 9 millimetres of rain has fallen on Salt Spring, resulting in the lowest lake levels on record.

Water quality specialist Meghan McKee says the lake is below full supply, with measurements already well below those taken during the 2009 dry spell.

If levels dip further, no more water can be drawn without breaking licence conditions.

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While an application for a short-term exemption is in the works, Level 3 water restrictions are putting everything on hold.

“That means no watering of public spaces–sports fields, playing fields, that kind of thing,” said McKee.

Soil-based fields are in decent shape for now, but those built on sand are burnt out and closed until further notice.

“Come September when the schools are back in session, I think they’re going to see a huge impact with their sports teams and their playing areas,” said Parks and Recreation Manager Dan Ovington.

Officials are developing a drought management plan that includes raising the weir that controls water flow. That might not be enough to turn things around, so locals are being encouraged to do their part and conserve.

“It puts everything at risk…it affects everyone,” said McKee.

-with files from Kylie Stanton