This is the time of year for summer Chinook salmon to begin migrating up the Puntledge River system. This includes adult salmon moving through the six-kilometre stretch of river from the generating station to the Puntledge River diversion dam, then through the fish ladder at the dam, and ultimately migrating past the Comox Dam into the reservoir.

To assist their migration past obstacles by Stotan and Nymph Falls, there will be five, two-day higher flow releases below the diversion dam, starting June 14 and 15, and then taking place each Wednesday and Thursday until ending on July 13.

鈥淲e are issuing a public safety advisory to be cautious each Wednesday and Thursday to July 13 in the Barber鈥檚 Hole and Nymph Falls areas of the river, from the diversion dam to the powerhouse, as flows in this stretch of the river will be about double the normal summer flow,鈥� said Stephen Watson, of BC Hydro. 鈥淩iver flows at these locations will go from about six cubic metres per second (m3/s) to about 12 m3/s. Temporary safety signage will be posted in advance. Flows in all other areas of the Puntledge River will be normal with no safety notices in place.鈥�

The Comox Lake Reservoir level is currently at about 135.1 metres and the level may be peaking over the next few weeks. The range of reservoir operations is generally between 131 to 135.3 metres above sea level.

鈥淥nce the reservoir level peaks we will then manage downstream flows as needed with the available water storage through the summer and early fall for fish, domestic water supply and power generation,鈥� said Watson.

The Puntledge River generating station is running at about 20 per cent of capacity, and may be operated potentially up to full generation for the short-term to control the reservoir level, before reducing back down to 20 per cent of capacity. Operating the generating station at 20 per cent of capacity provides the minimum fish habitat flow within the lower river system, below the powerhouse, of 15.6 m3/s.

鈥淥ur February to September water inflow forecast is updated each month, and with the June update, the forecast over that period is about 81 per cent of normal,鈥� added Watson.