Warning To Avoid Puntledge River Extended

BC Hydro is extending the public safety notice to stay away from the Puntledge River through Monday (Feb 12) as river flows will be high and dangerous.

Spokesperson Stephen Watson says last week was challenging with the three successive atmospheric rivers bringing almost 300 mm of rainfall and major snowmelt within the upper Puntledge River watershed.

Watson says they entered the week in great shape, with a lower than normal Comox Lake Reservoir level for this time of year, at 132.7 metres above sea level.

The reservoir level peaked on February 1st at 135.46 metres - a 2.75 metre increase and a level not reached since November 2016.

Watson says as is the case for each storm event, the risk of isolated downstream flooding depends on the timing of the peak flows from the Browns River and Tsolum River, the high tides, and any storm surge from winds.

He says it was a bit “tenuous at times” and there was good coordination with Comox Valley Emergency Management, which kept an eye on things.

The Puntledge River flow will be down to normal conditions today to be able to provide ideal steelhead migration and spawning flows, however, flows are going to be about double the rate from tomorrow through Monday.

Meanwhile, the City of Courtenay says the Puntledge Park playground remains closed as some damage to the surface was done by flooding.

All trails that were closed are now open including Puntledge Park trails, Rotary Riverside Trail at Bear James Park and Anderton Trail.