Catalyst Paper resumed operating the Cowichan Lake weir on April 5.
The weir, which regulates water flow out of Cowichan Lake, will gradually reduce water flow from the lake into the Cowichan River to maintain targeted flows through the summer months.
During the control period when the weir is operated, Catalyst Paper reviews flows and levels weekly with local key stakeholders, and adjusts operations accordingly.
Brian Houle, Catalyst Paper’s environment manager, said that with a measurable snowpack, 2016 conditions are more favourable compared to the past two years when the region experienced unprecedented low-snow pack and summer-drought conditions.
He said that while the lake levels are high, another summer drought will make sustaining prescribed river flows through to the end of the dry season “very challenging” again this year.