Image Credit: salmonsociety.com
August 17, 2015 - 1:00 PM
MERRITT - As level four drought conditions persist throughout the region and concern for spawning salmon heightens, the province has decided to increase river flows on the Nicola River by releasing water stored on Nicola Lake.
Salmon are congregating at the mouth of the river and because of insufficient water where the Nicola River meets the Thompson River are unable to continue their journey. As a result the province announced today, Aug. 17, it is releasing a pulse of water from storage into the river.
The pulse, which is being fed from water held for conservation purposes at the dam on Nicola Lake, has started and while people in the area of Nicola Lake to Spences Bridge will notice increased flows on the river over the next two weeks water restrictions will remain in place.
When the province raised the drought level to a four, the maximum drought rating possible, fishing bans were put in place for the Nicola River, Coldwater River and Spius Creek, as well as other waterways throughout the region. Further water restrictions were placed on water use for several rivers, including the Coldwater River and its tributaries as well.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015