Changes Needed In Nechako Flow

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The following is a  submitted opinion piece:    

The only major flood control mechanism on the entire Fraser system may in fact be the cause of flooding soon!

This is a plea to the Comptroller of Water Rights of British Columbia.

 Sir; It is essential that there be two safety water release sites on the Nechako River. The skins Lake spillway, the only one now, could potentially be releasing 1200 cubic meters per second into the Nechako, Fraser system at the worst time , to an already burdened system.

 Two of three reasons are up to mother nature as to what will determine how fast the 150% snow pack melt from the mountains and what effect on the hydrology the mountain pine beetle will be. The third reason is political.

Since 1949, Alcan has had the ownership to manage 5400 sq miles of watershed above Kenny Dam.

 With two electrical malfunctions at Kemano, the business end of the Nechako reservoir has been halved, resulting in enormous pressure on the Nechako system. This highlights the great need for a spillway site at Kemano.

First off the salmon resource of the Fraser system must be protected from this over zealous successful company.

Finally, just as climate change will keep reoccurring warm winters, with beetles killing newly maturing pine stands, so climate change will result in more snow in this part of the world. A second safety valve has to be built into the Nechako reservoir by Alcan or better by BC hydro for the integrity of Kenny Dam.

H.P. Rodeseth, Vanderhoof  

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