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

On Friday, they increased the release from the Comox Dam, getting up to 40 cubic metres per second (m3/s) and that will continue through the week, at least until Wednesday. Temporary safety signage is in place along the stretch of river to highlight the increased risk.

Ahead of the weekend, the Comox Lake Reservoir was at 133.4 metres and has risen 2.0 metres since the end of September, a needed recovery in water storage following a dry summer. Crews are aiming to keep the reservoir water level below 134.4 metres at this time of year for flood risk management.

Inflows into the reservoir are expected to remain above normal through this coming weekend.