Cold Water Release Study Gets Funds

Saturday, March 22, 2008 04:11 AM

Prince George, B.C. – The Provincial government has announced funding for a number of programs that support water and fisheries resources.

Among the projects, is a $100 thousand dollar grant to the Nechako Enhancement Society.

The funds will allow the society to continue its work towards resolving a number of complex technical issues to ensure that, if constructed, a cold water release facility at Kenney Dam will enhance the downstream environment of the Nechako Watershed and allow rehabilitation of the Murray-Cheslatta system. These studies must be completed before deciding to proceed with an environmental review and pre-engineering for a cold water release facility at Kenney Dam.

Not all think a cold water release will make any difference to the health and well being of migrating salmon.

Sockeye biologist, David Levy recently commented on such a project when asked if a cold water release would improve the conditions for the early Stuart sockeye “I don’t believe it would help. The main reason is you’re using a smaller volume of very cold water to cool down the Nechako. By the time the water reaches the Nechako-Stuart confluence, there is very little detectable influence of that cold water release. Certainly you could never get cooler temperatures in Prince George, there just isn’t enough water.”

Levy was one of the co authors of the recently released report on the dwindling Stuart sockeye.

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Posted on Saturday, March 22, 2008 04:11 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: red2b on March 22 2008 8:47 AM

$100,000.00 for a real big ice cube maker!

Posted by: thereasonableman on March 22 2008 3:22 PM

Wouldn't it be more feasible to trap the fish after they enter the river and either transport them live to a spawning area, or create a hatchery at a spawning area and artificially stock the river ?

Hot water in the winter, cold water in the summer...these ideas are getting crazier by the minute. Maybe we could install taps and teach the fish how to use them. Then, they could adjust the water temperature exactly to their liking. The only problem is that the female fish keep turning the heat up.

;-)

Posted by: Hindsight on March 22 2008 5:01 PM

Fill your bathtub with warm water...dump one cup of cold water in...feel the difference?? Didn't think so...duh!
Besides tubing down the Nechako in summer is already cold enough!