BC Hydro Testing Public Warning System

BC Hydro is continuing its annual tests of the public warning system Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Crews were manually testing each siren yesterday and again today and each may be active for a few minutes.

The full siren system test will take place tomorrow and includes releasing a pulse of water from Comox Dam to trigger the warning system.

BC Hydro says the test also serves as a reminder of potential hazards along the Puntledge River.

Sirens and strobe lights are placed along the Puntledge River from the Comox Dam to Puntledge Park to warn of river flow increases.

The Puntledge River hydroelectric system includes the Comox Dam, where the water released travels 3.7 kilometres down to the Puntledge River Diversion Dam.

From there, a minimum fish habitat flow is provided down the river with the majority of water directed down a 5-kilometre penstock to the generating station.