Approximately 150 whitewater enthusiasts will take on the Puntledge River May 26-27 for the Puntledge River Paddle Festival. The event is a condition of BC Hydro’s water licence with the comptroller of water rights, as agreed to by BC Hydro’s community-based water use planning consultative committee.
The kayak releases target a river flow at the Puntledge River/Browns River confluence of 65 m3/s and then 85 m3/s on Saturday, and 110 m3/s on Sunday.
The event is well-timed to the snowmelt period and good water abundance.
BC Hydro advises the public to stay away from the Puntledge River, May 26-27.
Only people registered in the Vancouver Island Whitewater Paddling Society event should be on the river. Public safety signage will be placed along the river system.
The society, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have co-ordinated the event in tandem with the Puntledge River Hatchery’s chinook salmon smolt release, an initiative designed for a better success rate of the out-migrating fish reaching the ocean.