BC Hydro Issues Public Safety Advisory To Stay Away From Puntledge River

BC Hydro has issued a public safety advisory to stay away from the Puntledge River from tonight through January 3.

Crews are expecting up to three times the typical flow rate, with high water releases from the Comox Dam down the Puntledge River ahead of forecasted storms next week.

Temporary danger safety signage advising of the higher river flows has been posted along the river system.

BC Hydro’s Stephen Watson says water inflows from the recent wet weather have slowly increased the Comox Lake Reservoir water level, and forecasters are watching for more next week.

The Comox Lake Reservoir is currently about 134.1 metres above sea level.

Water free spills over the dam at the overflow spillway at 135.3 metres.

By lowering the reservoir water level starting tonight, they’ll have full flood risk management flexibility from Monday to Thursday.

The water release from the Comox Dam is generally around 35 cubic metres per second for full electricity generation at our powerhouse and for fish habitat flows.

Beginning tonight, the flow will be increased up to about 100 m3/s.

Watson says kayakers will have an early Christmas present with water flows ideal for expert kayaking on Saturday through Monday.

All other water users and the public need to stay away from the dangerous and fluctuating flows.

Watson says this fall season, the water inflows into the Comox Lake Reservoir have been right on average.

However, the snowpack is well below normal for this time of year and Watson says next week’s mild storm activity won’t help the situation.