Heating Up the Cold Water Release Issue

By 250 News

The idea of a cold water release on the Nechako River is a good one for  the folks in Vanderhoof, perhaps the Cheslata Nation, but it won't be good news for the City of Prince George.  That is the message delivered to Council by Opinion 250's Ben Meisner. 

Meisner appeared before Council because the City has been asked to support the establishment of a cold water release.

Meisner, who faught the development of the Keman two project  over what it would mean to the salmon is passionate about the Nechako and its survival.  He says it is important Council look at some other information before making a decision.  He would like Council to ask that  before there is any cold water release there is a guaranteee of the flows as they come through Prince George.

Meisner pointed out that while Prince George is the largest community on the Nechako, it is the last to be consulted on the impact it will face as a result of changes in the water levels of the Nechako.

The cold water release as proposed by the Fraser Basin Council would result in cooling the upper reaches of the  Nechako, but will allow Alcan to divert more water to the production of  power. 

The impact on the Nechako as it travels through Prince George is; that what you see right now is what you get.  It is feared the current levels, will be what Prince George can expect year round as there would be no need to add water to the river during the summer.  There has been no information on what those reduced flows will mean to the aquifer and the impact on wells or water supplies.

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