BC Hydro is out with an update on its hydroelectric operations following the recent atmospheric river.

High amounts of rainfall and mid-to-high elevation snowmelt due to high freezing levels led to very high inflows into the Comox Lake Reservoir.

Inflows peaked on Monday with a peak hourly inflow of 390 m3/s and a daily average inflow of 308 m3/s.  Inflows have been receding since Tuesday and will continue to recede to near normal by the weekend.

The extended forecast is for mainly dry conditions with seasonably to unseasonably warm temperatures keeping inflows normal to below normal.

In response to high inflows, BC Hydro increased spill from Comox Dam to approximately 160 m3/s Sunday night.

The Comox Lake Reservoir peaked at 134.4 metres Tuesday evening.

Crews began ramping down spill last night, but to manage the reservoir and maintain operational flexibility, they expect to continue spilling up to 80 m3/s through Sunday, January 18.

Temporary safety signage remains in place, and the public is reminded to stay away from the high and dangerous flow along all sections of the Puntledge River through Sunday.

For information on water use planning and the latest available data on reservoir levels and planned discharges of water, visit BC Hydro.