There is a possibility pumps will not have to be used this year at Lake Cowichan’s weir, but more rainfall is needed soon for that decision to be made.
Brian Houle, environment manager at the Domtar Crofton mill, which owns and operates the weir, said on Sept. 3 that, after recent rainfall in the area, water levels in Cowichan Lake are 15 cm higher than on this same day in 2023, when pumps had to be used for several weeks beginning on Sept. 13 that fall after a severe drought struck the area during the summer months.
He said Domtar has plans to install the pumps during the final week of September with hopes that added rainfall will arrive in time to push that date out further into October.
Domtar had initially planned for the pumps to be in operation by about Sept. 15 after a hot and dry summer lowered water levels in Cowichan Lake and the Cowichan River.
“There is still hope for 2025 that pumps will not be needed, but we will need rainfall for that to happen,” Houle said.
“The weather forecast includes overcast skies and possible rainfall for most of the coming two weeks. The release of water from Lake Cowichan [into Cowichan River] will remain at 4.5 cubic metres per second. Cowichan Tribes and DFO will be installing the counting fence this week which will impact the river flow measurement in Duncan.”
