British Columbia is grappling with yet another extreme drought, prompting the Syilx Okanagan Nation to declare a watershed emergency. In the city of Vernon, agricultural producers are being asked to reduce water use by 70%, while regulatory measures are being implemented to protect salmon populations. Wildfires have also become more explosive due to the severe drought conditions. Droughts in the region are no longer isolated events but recurring crises, with recent reports showing that B.C. continues to break records for the severity, extent, and duration of droughts. In 2023, severe drought affected around 85% of the province, with dry conditions starting earlier in the year and lasting longer than before, leading to multiyear drought periods. The impacts of these droughts have been severe, including massive fish die-offs, a 50% drop in agricultural production, loss of livestock, and months-long states of emergency in areas like Dawson Creek, McBride, and the Sunshine Coast. Water scarcity has also led to increasing conflicts over the limited resource. Although the 2023 drought was the most extreme on record, climate change projections suggest that such events may become more frequent, occurring once every three years or even more often in the coming decades. Drought is not solely a natural phenomenon; it is also shaped by human decisions related to land and water use. Practices such as overusing water resources, draining wetlands, and clear-cutting forests have contributed to the problem. British Columbia’s current water management system assumes a high level of water availability, which no longer aligns with the reality of today’s water scarcity and prolonged droughts. While the provincial government has made some improvements in drought management, its overall approach remains reactive and based on outdated assumptions of water abundance. The province is missing key components of effective water and drought management, such as systematic water-use measurement and monitoring. Progress on implementing proactive tools under the Water Sustainability Act has slowed, despite the availability of solutions. Many communities are already taking initiative by monitoring water flows, developing local drought strategies, restoring wetlands, and voluntarily reducing water use. However, they often lack the resources and a strong provincial framework to support long-term drought adaptation. To address these challenges, a recent report has recommended three key steps for the provincial government. First, fully implement the Water Sustainability Act, including the development of regional water sustainability plans. Second, shift public and sectoral mindsets toward water conservation and efficiency, supporting key industries in creating forward-looking strategies. Finally, accelerate watershed planning and local drought governance by creating sustainable, adaptive solutions at the watershed level. These steps aim to build a more resilient water management system in the face of growing climate challenges.