BC Hydro has issued a public safety notice, asking residents to stay away from the Puntledge River system for the next week, starting Oct. 17.
River flows over the next week may be up to the three times normal. Temporary safety signage along the river will be in place by today (Oct. 17).
鈥淎fter a record dry late summer, the fall has started off fairly wet and a needed recovery in water storage,鈥� explained BC Hydro spokesperson Stephen Watson. 鈥淔rom Oct. 9-16, 16 we鈥檝e had about 185 mm of rainfall in the upper watershed. The latest storm, hitting the area tonight (Oct. 17) and Wednesday, are remnants of a strong typhoon and may have an atmospheric river rating of three on the five-point scale. How the storm tracks will determine how much water inflows may enter the Comox Lake Reservoir.
鈥淲e started full power generation from the powerhouse last Thursday. Yesterday we increased flows slightly and just below public safety thresholds.鈥�
The Comox Lake Reservoir water level is currently at 134 metres above sea level and rising. It鈥檚 moved up about 65 cm since Sunday. Depending on certain scenarios the reservoir may rise to about 134.7 metres later this week. Water begins to free spill over the Comox Dam at 135.33 metres.
鈥淭he good news is the weather turns drier on Thursday,鈥� said Watson. 鈥淲e generally like to keep the reservoir water level below 134.4 metres during storm season for flood risk management operational flexibility.鈥�
Discharge from the Comox Dam will increase from about 37 cubic metres per second (m3/s) this evening up to 90 m3/s over the next week depending on the storm inflows.
Please stay away from the fast-flowing water over the next week. Currents will be strong and dangerous.
