In early April, the Catalyst Crofton pulp mill, which is owned by Paper Excellence, will resume regular seasonal operations at the Cowichan Lake weir that regulates water flow out of Cowichan Lake.
Once operating, the weir will gradually reduce water flow from the lake to the river in order to have enough extra water in the lake to achieve the target river flow during the dry summer months.
Catalyst Crofton operates the weir under the direction of the provincial government, which sets the target river flow with guidance provided by fish and fish habitat stewards, including Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Once the weir is mechanically and electrically confirmed to be ready for another control season, the boat lock gates will be lowered, and boater traffic must navigate from lake and river with assistance from the boat-lock operator.
While the weir boat lock is operated 24 hours per day during control season, boat passage through the locks is intended to be a daylight activity.
Adjustments to river flow are also made mostly during the day shift.
The monitoring and regulation of Cowichan Lake water levels and flow releases is part of the provincial government’s ongoing commitment to maintain stream flows for all stakeholders.
Lake levels, river flow and snowpack data are available at https://www.catalystpaper.com/page/cowichan-water-management-information