CAMPBELL RIVER, BC – Low water conditions are continuing at the Campbell River reservoir.
June was dry until the last week, which helped finish the month off at 73% of average.
BC Hydro spokesperson Stephen Watson says the forecasted runoff is at 64% of average. If it does happen, Watson adds it will be the lowest February to September total runoff in 60 years.
Late last month, the utility moved the Campbell River level down to the lowest it can. This week’s forecasted inflow is around 32 cubic metres per second (m3/s), which includes a slight increase because of the light rains.
The current water level at the Upper Campbell Reservoir/Buttle Lake is at about 216.65 metres. BC Hydro is predicting this will be the peak summer level, and will slowly shift downward from here. The summer recreation target from mid-June to early September is 217 to 220.5 metres, which will be the second lowest level on record.
The Lower Campbell Reservoir/McIvor Laske has been at around 176 metres the past few months. The levels have fluctuated in the area due to planned maintenance work. This includes work that started last week on both generators within the Strathcona generating station.
The current forecast has Lower Campbell close to 176 metres in the summer, below the recreation level of 176.5 to 177 metres.
