BC Hydro has issued a public safety advisory for people to use caution around the Barber’s Hole and Nymph Falls section of the Puntledge River through December 10.

On December 9 and 10, the advisory will be in place for all sections of the Puntledge River.

Beginning Monday morning, crews will increase spill from the Comox Dam from about 20 cubic metres per second (m3/s) to about 25 m3/s and shut down generation at the Powerhouse.

With the Powerhouse offline, all flows will be directed down the 6-kilometre section of the Puntledge River that includes Barber’s Hole, Nymph Falls and Stotan Falls.

Early in the morning on December 9, they will further increase spill to approximately 50 m3/s, expanding the caution advisory to all sections of the Puntledge River.

The operational flow changes will allow for crews to complete testing on components of the hydroelectric system as part of the Comox-Puntledge Flow Control Improvement Project.

The project includes upgrades to the Puntledge River hydroelectric system to ensure safe operation and dependable water flows from the hydroelectric facilities in the spring, summer, and fall and provide continued reliability of the Comox Dam spillway gates during storm events in the fall and winter for flood risk management.