File Photo.
BC Hydro is forecasting lower than normal water supply this summer because of dry conditions in the Campbell River and Puntledge River.
The corporation says after high water inflows at the start of winter, cold and dry conditions since the third week of January have produced the lowest water inflows for this time of year for both rivers in the last half-century.
It says it is currently operating the Comox Lake reservoir in full water conservation mode and the release of 16-cubic-metres-per-second from the Comox Dam is just enough to keep fish habitat in the Puntledge River covered with water.
The Puntledge River water supply forecast for March through to September is 77 per cent of normal and BC Hydro says with the current situation, water abundance may be a challenge this summer in managing the system.
Precipitation was observed at only 36 per cent of normal and the first week of March was the driest start to the month in about 40 years.
The Comox Lake reservoir is currently at 131.8 metres, which BC Hydro says is 1.5 metres below average for this time of year.
In updating the Campbell River situation Friday, BC Hydro says it has been running the John Hart generating station at full capacity to meet high customer demand on Vancouver Island for electricity.
Officials say the Upper Campbell Reservoir/Buttle Lake has dropped five metres since its high point in January, at a rate of about 10-to-15 centimetres a day.
Levels are currently a metre below average and considering the year’s precipitation and snowpack, the March water supply forecast to September is about 76 per cent of normal.
BC Hydro is predicting summer reservoir recreation levels to be lower than normal because of the current water amounts and its facilities meeting electricity demand.
The corporation says the weather pattern is forecast to change to more seasonal conditions next week.
CHEK News
