High water levels on Stonehocker Creek have slowed down work on a Homer Electric Association project to fortify power poles on the line that serves the Peterson Bay and Halibut Cove areas, according to a press release from the cooperative.

HEA crews began work on the project on Feb. 8, causing daily power outages for customers in the area.

“Crews are finding that work at each pole location is taking approximately two days per pole,” the press release states. “With seven more poles to complete the project, HEA anticipates finishing on or about March 6.”

The Stonehocker Creek project is being done to buttress power line poles along a section crossing Stonehocker Creek near the Wosnesenski River. Rising waters and storms in 2018 damaged poles in that area and knocked out power on the south side of Kachemak Bay for five days.

According to the press release, outages will be from about 9 a.m. until about 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday until the project is complete. If bad weather keeps crews from working on a certain day, HEA will update its scheduled outages page on its website at www.homerelectric.com/outage-information/scheduled-outage.

HEA advised customers to take steps to protect sensitive electronic equipment during outages.