Campbell River System - Low Water Conditions

 

CURRENT STATUS as of May 7, 2008

Upper Campbell (SCA)

Current reservoir elevation is at 209.9 m which is 7.7m below historic median and 1.0m below historical minimum based on 24 years of records. Reservoir reached the low of 209.5m on Apr 28 and has been gradually coming up since then. Current rate of rising is 10-15cm/day, and will accelerate as the freshet builds.

The record low reservoir level was a result of continued dry and cool weather for the south coast until the beginning of May. The month of April was among the coolest in the records with the average monthly temperature at 3.4oC below normal for the Island region. April was also significantly drier with only 49% of the normal precipitation for the Island. Year to date inflow into Upper Campbell is 60% of normal with the month of April inflow only 50% of normal.

The 01 May snowpack at the Wolf Upper snow pillow (El. 1500m) is 110% of normal. Mid to Lower elevation (500-1000) snowpack ranges from 115% to 200% of normal.

The 01 May Water Supply Forecast for the Feb-Sep period (including Feb-Apr observed) is 95% of normal, down from 98% of normal on 01 April. The May-Sep residual volume forecast is 114.5% of normal, reflecting the higher than normal snowpack conditions. The standard error of the May-Sep residual volume forecast is 15% of normal volume.

Both units at Strathecona are available for services and are currently run at 11 MW whichlallows both Upper and Lower Campbell reservoirs to rise gradually.

Lower Campbell (LDR)

Reservoir elevation is currently at 174.51m, about 0.4m below historical minimum based on 24 years of records. The reservoir reached a low of 174.46m on May 2 and has been slowly rising. All 2 units at LDR are currently available for service, and the powerplant is currently run to balance JHT forebay.

John Hart (JHT)

Based on agreement with fish agencies, a variance was obtained from the Comptroller's office in mid April to reduce JHT release from the minumum IFMS flow of 79cms to 70cms on 20 April to conserve water. Due to the continued dry conditions, BC Hydro and the agencies agreed to obtain a second variance to further reduce JHT flow to 50cms starting on 25 April. JHT is currently releasing about 51cms with about 5.8cms through JHT spillway into the Elk Canyon and the remainder through the generating units.

Diversions

Heber Diversion is currently closed due to debris problems.
Salmon Diversion was open on 13 April.
Quisam Diversion was open on 24 April.

Short term inflow forecast

Freshet has finally started! Inflows will gradually increase as the snow melting picks up momentum. Today's short term inflow foreacst is still somewhat below normal for the next few days but inflows could increase quickly with warmer temperatures or heavier than expected rainfall.

FUTURE OPERATIONS

JHT will continue at the 50cms release for the foreseable future to help refilling the Upper and Lower Campbell Reservoirs. The target is to bring Upper Campbell reservoir to ~219m and Lower Campbell reservoir to ~ 177.0m by July 1.

For more information on reservoir levels, please contact Stephen Watson at steve.watson@bchydro.com
or (250) 755-4795.