B.C. Hydro has issued an update on the Campbell River system, as it continues to manage lower than normal river flows caused by exceptionally dry conditions.
Since late June, flows down the Campbell River have been at 30 cubic meters per second.
The utility said that, in order to maintain salmon migration and spawning flows, it will double the flow to 65 cubic meters per second on Oct. 9.
“We’ll watch the weather and water storage conditions to determine if adjustments up or down are needed,” said a B.C. Hydro news release. “We may need reduce flows to around 60 cubic meters per second, in late October, should the dry weather persist to conserve water storage.”
The release noted that flow changes will also happen along the Quinsam River.
It said the minimum fish habitat flow down the Quinsam River is one cubic meter per second and that flows have been between 0.56 and 0.75 cubic meters per second since June 12 to conserve water.
“We will lower the flow rate a small amount, from its current 0.67 m3/s to a target flow of 0.55 m3/s for additional water conservation.”
Recreational anglers are being asked to consider the Oct. 9 river flow increase in how and where they may access the river.
