Unusually high temperatures and snow melt have prompted B.C. Hydro to release a surge of water into the Puntledge River, increasing the flow by threefold through Tuesday.
“It was a drier than normal winter and a bit of a challenge for B.C. Hydro to conserve water for downstream habitat,” B.C. Hydro spokesman Stephen Watson stated in an email.
“However, the water abundance has certainly increased in recent days with the record and near-record temperatures for this time of year causing snow melt.”
Starting at 8 a.m. Today, B.C. Hydro released water to increase the river flow to 110 cubic metres per second and is expected to maintain this flow until Tuesday. The maximum rate of flow is set at a point that protects salmon fry in the river downstream.
The level of the Comox Lake reservoir has risen by 10 centimetres per day, with the lake level close to spilling over the Comox dam.
The large release of water will help bring reservoir levels back to normal. It’s also a chance for the Vancouver Island Whitewater Paddling Society to improve their skills in fast water.
Tubers should not enter the river, said Watson. There is no risk of downstream flooding, he added.
