Preparations are now beginning in case it becomes necessary to pump water from Cowichan Lake into the Cowichan River while we wait for the return of autumn rains.
Brian Houle, Environmental Manager for the Domtar pulp mill in Crofton, says it appears pumping will be required in September, but accurate predictions about the weather that far in advance are difficult to make.
The recent rainfall brought about a small increase in the level of Cowichan Lake, and the flow of water at the weir is currently 5.5 cubic metres per second.
With generally cooler temperatures expected and shorter daylight hours, the water temperature is expected to drop in coming weeks.
Lower water temperatures reduce stress levels for small fish and can also affect the timing of flow reductions for the river, but Houle says the concern for juvenile fish has not yet passed.
Following the large fish die-off in the Cowichan River in 2023, six water quality measuring stations were installed in the river to provide more detailed information for decision makers.
There may be a need to reduce the flow of water in the river to 4.5 CMS in the coming weeks.
