For Immediate Release:

[Crofton, BC] – In early April, Catalyst Crofton, a Paper Excellence company, will resume regular seasonal operation the Cowichan Lake weir (dam) that regulates water flow out of Cowichan Lake.

Once operating, the weir operation 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 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 level, river flow and snowpack data are available at:
https://www.catalystpaper.com/page/cowichan-water-management-information

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For further information, please contact:

David Johnson Licensed Senior Regional Specialist Water and Dam Safety Government of BC 250-751-3179

Brian Houle Manager, Environment Catalyst Crofton 250-246-6236

Paper Excellence, headquartered in British Columbia, is a diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing, writing, and packaging papers that owns 10 facilities in Canada producing over 3.0 million tonnes annually with a workforce of over 3,000. Paper Excellence is poised to continue to grow with its strategy of operational excellence and high-quality, cost-effective products.