Water conservation efforts in the Puntledge River are already starting, with the water flow rate dropping.
Stakeholder Engagement advisor Stephen Watson says they are making the decision to restrict flow in case it is a dry summer and fall. The goal is to be able to provide returning salmon with enough water flow to spawn.
Watson says the river is flowing at 13 m3/s starting today from 16 m3/s. The powerhouse, which has been running at 20 per cent capacity, will also be shut down.
He adds the minimum year-round flow for fish habitat is 15.6 m3/s, but it is now common for the Puntledge to drop below these levels and inflows are at 12 m3/s but continue to drop.
Water levels at the Comox Lake Reservoir are at over 134 metres above sea level. Watson says the reservoir typically operates between 131 metres and 135 metres above sea level.
Safety signage will also be placed at Nymph Falls and Barber’s Hole and water flow rates are expected to double with water not passing through the powerhouse’s penstock.
