748 replies to this topic

[On the Level]

The Leech is just a distraction, it's all about pumping the almost endless supply of water from the north end of Sooke Lake, down to the south end of Sooke Lake.

 

You are right, it isn't clear to me what they are using the Leech area for.  The two lakes on the far left hand side of their map are "Bear creek reservoir" and the "Diversion reservoir" above Jordan River for hydro, not drinking water.  I would be curious to know what exactly the CRD pays towards drinking water vs what they bring in.

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Edited by On the Level, 27 November 2021 - 11:45 AM.

[Spy Black]

You are right, it isn't clear to me what they are using the Leech area for.

The Leech "plan" is to take water directly from the Leech River. There are no lakes involved.

The Leech end of the tunnel is a concrete abutment located right on the Leech River, designed to take water directly from the river, and then pump it (or gravity feed it) into a creek that runs into the Diversion Reservoir (I've never seen the Sooke Lake end of the tunnel, so that's a guess - the Leech end of the tunnel however, I've been to many times).

 

The one time the CRD "fired the tunnel up", it just about devastated the water supply in Sooke Lake, with the solids in Sooke Lake multiplying almost instantly to almost unusable numbers.

The Leech River isn't drinking water (which any old time placer miner could have told CRD Water had they bothered to ask).

Needless to say, the CRD shut the Leech Tunnel down immediately ... and it's never been used since.

 

Which is not to say that the CRD isn't proceeding with "wilding" the Leech River area, shutting down roads, tearing out bridges, and otherwise turning it into a closed off buffer zone to be patrolled on just a few gated roads by CRD Watershed Security, a few dozen or so placer miners, and First Nations.

[Mike K.]

Do people have access to the CRD watershed, and if so, who are they?

[LJ]

I follow them, but not because of the restrictions. The cost of water here is stupid.

Remember a few years ago the CRD was screaming at us to reduce our water use, so we did.

 

The next year they had to raise water rates because we weren't using the same amount of water.

[Spy Black]

Do people have access to the CRD watershed, and if so, who are they?

First Nations, placer miners, hard rock miners, and the occasional trespasser who normally walks across the Sooke River (at low water) around Leechtown.

First Nations have a historical right to enter for salal gathering and other cultural uses, as do placer miners (there are still 100 or so legal claims up in the watershed).

There are a half dozen or so large, multi-hectare swaths of hard rock claims currently.

 

It's mostly about first having a legal right to access the lands, and then requires carrying the mandated insurance, radio, spill kit, and signing a bucket load of forms. 

 

It's still a relatively small number of people who are given keys.

(As well, you usually have to do the same sort of "key-deal" with Timberwest/Mosaic too, as, depending on where exactly you're going, it can be necessary to first cross their lands before getting onto the CRD Watershed lands).

[Mike K.]

Ah, got it. Thank you.

Renfrew saw 100mm yesterday. Already at 35 today.

[Victoria Watcher]

[Victoria Watcher]

A master plan that includes nearly $2 billion in water infrastructure projects over the next 30 years has been approved by the Capital Regional District board.

 

The plan, which was approved by the district’s Regional Water Supply Commission last month, guides water-supply planning and includes an infrastructure program to improve the water supply and transmission system and add redundancy to critical components to address hazards and risks.

 

“This plan outlines our vision to ensure continued delivery of high quality, clean, and sustainable drinking water for the next 30 years, a significant asset for our region,” said CRD chair Colin Plant.

 

 

https://www.timescol...er-plan-5683653

[todd]

Looks like doing better than last year:




https://www.crd.bc.c...kly-water-watch

Edited by todd, 17 October 2022 - 01:48 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

That’s the drought for you.

[Nparker]

And by this time next week, the forecast says we'll be doing even better. Environment Canada will need to up the fear factor again, lest we become complacent.

[sebberry]

I'll have to annoy the greenies @ CoV council chambers by leaving the hose run while washing my car.  As it is right now I have to drive it all the way to Saanich to wash it. 

[todd]

That’s the drought for you.

https://weather.gc.c...2_metric_e.html

[Victoria Watcher]

The Sooke Lake Reservoir is typically full to overflowing by late December or early January, but right now the reservoir — the primary source of water in the capital region — is at about 87 per cent.

 

https://www.timescol...ry-fall-6377815

[Mike K.]

It could be full if we wanted it to be.

[Victoria Watcher]

It could be full if we wanted it to be.

 

Rain dance?  

[Mike K.]

Not opening up the flows.

[Mike K.]

If the heat isn’t noteworthy, switch over to water.

From the province:

The Province is urging people across British Columbia to conserve water as current forecasts suggest much of the province will experience drought conditions through the summer months.

While the recent rains have provided relief for some regions in B.C., it has not been enough to overcome the limited rain and precipitation from previous months. The increased flows that are present in some streams and river systems are likely to be shortlived.

Everyone is responsible to do their part to conserve water and reduce the risk of negatively affecting the environment and other water users. Water suppliers and vendors are also asked to ensure that they have an adequate water supply until rainfall can improve conditions.

The Province continues to work with communities in preparation for the summer. If conservation measures do not achieve sufficient results and drought conditions worsen, temporary protection orders under the Water Sustainability Act may be issued to water licensees to support drinking water for communities and avoid significant or irreversible harm to aquatic ecosystems. Provincial staff are monitoring the situation and working to balance water use with environmental flow needs.

People and businesses in affected areas should reduce water use wherever possible and observe all watering restrictions from their local or regional government, water utility provider or irrigation district.

Areas currently under Drought Level 4 include: the East Peace, Fort Nelson, and Finlay areas. The majority of other watershed basins in B.C. are in Drought Levels 2 or 3.

British Columbia ranks drought levels from 0 to 5, with Drought Level 5 rated as the most severe with adverse impacts to socio-economic or ecosystem values being almost certain.

Water use to extinguish a fire or contain and control the spread of a fire is exempt from a provincial water licence or approval. However, anyone under an evacuation order due to wildfire must leave the area immediately.

General water conservation tips:

At home:

limit outdoor watering, including lawns;
do not water during the heat of the day or when it is windy;
consider planting drought-tolerant vegetation;
find ways to reduce personal water use, such as taking shorter showers and only doing full loads of dishes and laundry;
do not leave taps running; and
install water-efficient showerheads, taps and toilets.
On the farm:

implement an irrigation-scheduling program using real-time weather data;
schedule irrigation to match crop needs and soil storage capacity;
improve water system efficiencies and check for leaks; and
focus on high-value crops and livestock.
Industry:

reduce non-essential water use;
recycle water used in industrial operations; and
use water-efficient methods and equipment
Quick Facts:

Drought is a recurrent feature of climate involving a deficiency of precipitation over an extended period, resulting in a water shortage.
The Province uses a six-level drought classification, 0-5, to explain the severity and appropriate level of response to drought conditions.
At Drought Level 4, conditions are extremely dry and adverse impacts to socio-economic or ecosystem values are likely.
Voluntary measures and increasing use of watering restrictions will continue and may be augmented by regulatory action by the provincial government where necessary to reduce water user conflicts or protect the environment.
At Drought Level 3, conditions are becoming severely dry. Potentially serious ecosystem or socio-economic impacts are possible in some circumstances.
All unauthorized use should be curtailed. Water suppliers are much more likely to impose watering restrictions, and data collection for regulatory action by the provincial government may start to occur.

[Nparker]

...Everyone is responsible to do their part to conserve water and reduce the risk of negatively affecting the environment and other water users...

Everyone except for regional districts/governments that refuse to enlarge water reservoirs.

[Matt R.]

Or fix the leaks in their systems that lose millions of gallons a year.