CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. – BC Hydro is increasing water flow down Elk Falls again.
The extra water from the heavy rains as well as the snowmelt from the storm is forcing the system to increase water flow down the falls from yesterday’s 80 cubic metres per second (m3/s) to 110 m3/s.
BC Hydro is asking people to keep away from the Elk Falls Canyon area.
According to an emailed update from spokesperson Stephen Watson, watershed gauges are showing about 90 to 120 mm of rain over the last 24 hours. Snowmelt has also been entering the system due to the warmer temperatures.
Currently, the water inflow into the Campbell River reservoirs is about 860 m3/s, which is enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in about 3.4 seconds.
The total water release from John Hart will be about 235 m3/s.
The Upper Campbell Reservoir/Buttle Lake is now at 219.85 metres, and is still rising. The utility is hoping to keep the reservoir level below 220.5 metres.
