BC Hydro has issued a public safety advisory to stay away from the Puntledge River for the rest of the week.

Water releases from the Comox Dam down the Puntledge River may be about double the typical flow rate for this time of year. Temporary danger safety signage advising of the higher river flows are now up.

The Puntledge River powerhouse is currently out of service with an equipment issue that crews hope to have fixed later this week.

With no water passing through the powerhouse, all downstream water flows from the Comox Dam are flowing through the Barber’s Hole and Nymph Falls section of the Puntledge River.

BC Hydro’s Stephen Watson says the water release from the Comox Dam is generally around 35 cubic metres per second for full electricity generation.

This week the flow may be up to 60 m3/s. Watson says that is a typical flood risk management water release during storm season.

They will be monitoring the river flows and the high tides and may reduce the discharge from Comox Dam if needed today.