I applaud the City of Powell River for being very careful how it monitors the water supply from Haslam Lake.
This is not only the water resource for the city, but as [director of infrastructure Tor] Birtig says in the recent Peak article, fall water flowing from Haslam Lake into Duck Lake and into Lang Creek is essential for ensuring there is enough water for the fish [“City of Powell River remains is stage two water restrictions,” August 2].
I also want to acknowledge the efforts by the public to adhere to the water restrictions set out by the city. Everyone seems to be doing their part.
Now if we could only get the owners of the Powell and Lois Lake dams to curtail taking water when these two lakes are consistently at extremely low levels in the fall months due to drought and lack of rainfall. Extremely low levels at these times are, in my opinion, compromising the fish spawning areas.
Fish populations do not disappear overnight; it is a gradual process of consistent degradation. This, as anyone who frequents these lakes knows, has been going on for years.
It is more important now, more than ever, that monitoring of possible environmental damage due to these low water conditions be undertaken. But what official agency is doing that? None to my knowledge.
It's time for Evolugen to back up statements on its web page that states what a great job the company does of protecting the environment. Stop taking the water levels in these lakes to rock bottom, which has the possibility of damaging fish spawning areas.
Allan Drummond,
Powell Lake
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