Canada-based BC Hydro is commencing the last phase of the ongoing dam safety upgrades to the dams at Elsie Lake Reservoir. The remaining upgrades are scheduled to begin in March 2004 and be complete by late October.
Elsie Lake
‘We are nearing the end of a four year dam safety project,’ said BC Hydro project manager, Alex Selnes. ‘It was October 1999 when we found the seismic deficiencies and it will be around October 2004 when we complete the final improvements. Work completed to date, primarily in 2001, has resolved the primary seismic deficiencies.’
The work planned for this year includes relining and extending the low-level outlet that passes through Saddle dam 1, constructing a new downstream outlet structure, installing a new water release valve, installing on-site power generating equipment for the operation of valves and other equipment and installing additional dam instrumentation. A rock berm will also be added to the downstream side of Saddle dam 1 and the crests of the three smaller dams will be upgraded to improve the resistance against wave erosion. The construction work was publicly tendered and subsequently awarded to Western Industrial Contractors Ltd.
View of the BC Hydro’s Elsie Lake reservoir
The major dam safety upgrades were completed in 2000 through to 2002 to increase the seismic resistance of the two primary dams. This included the removal of potentially liquefiable layers in the Main dam and Saddle dam 1 as well as the addition of a gated concrete spillway structure within the overflow spillway. Work planned in 2003 was delayed to allow BC Hydro more time to better examine improvements to the low level outlet. The Elsie Lake Reservoir has been operating at normal levels since November 2001.
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Work completed to date has resolved the primary seismic deficiencies |
| Elsie lake |
| Work completed to date has resolved the primary seismic deficiencies |