The back to back storms that dropped almost 200 mm of rain on Comox Lake and the surrounding watershed raisied the level of the lake by over one metre per day, and swept logs, stumps and other debris into the lake. The massive amounts of water being discharged into the Puntledge River created a current that swept much of the debris toward forebay area of the BC Hydro dam at the mouth of the Puntledge.
The dam is protected by two floating log booms that trap the majority of floating debris – the same log booms also provide a warning, and a measure of safety to recreational users that would otherwise endanger themselves. The log booms, as you can see, worked well, however, some smaller debris did make it further downstream.
As part of the cleanup plan, BC Hydro drew down the level of the lake to a level where a cleanup of the debris could safely be conducted from shore, with the assistance of a specially equipped boat.
The cleanup operation was conducted over the 18th and 19th of December – safely, and in an a manner that protected the water supply.
Below, a random selection from 98 images of the cleanup operations.
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And some video – some serious, some not so serious, starting with the debris starting to form…