Ruskin Dam & Powerhouse Upgrade
Aging facility needs an upgrade
Since the 1930s, the Ruskin Dam and Generating Station has provided a clean and reliable supply of electricity to homes and businesses in the Lower Mainland of B.C. After more than 80 years of service, the facility is aging and is in need of a major upgrade to improve seismic performance and upgrade the powerhouse.
Construction began in the spring of 2012 and will continue until 2018.
Check out the Ruskin Regeneration [YouTube] video to learn more.Road and recreation closures
Construction Spring 2012 to 2018
The BCUC recently granted approval of the Ruskin Dam and Powerhouse Upgrade Project and construction is underway. The following closures are in effect through project completion in 2018:
- Hayward Street over Ruskin Dam will continue to be closed to all motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrian traffic.
- Hayward Street will be closed north of Keystone Avenue (except for local traffic) to Ruskin Dam. Parking will not be permitted.
- Wilson Street will continue to operate for alternating single lane traffic.
- The Ruskin Recreation/Picnic site, located south of Ruskin Dam, will be closed to the public. This area, including the parking lot, will be fenced and used for construction.
- The Lower Railway Parking Lot, northwest of Ruskin Dam, will be closed. The interim Upper Railway Parking Lot, located further up Wilson Street, will be available and provides access for trail and beach users.
- Hiking Trails: Portions of the 10 km circuit around Hayward Lake Reservoir will be closed:
- The Reservoir Trail will be closed from Ruskin Dam to Hairsine Inlet due to construction activity on the left abutment. During construction, the trail can be accessed from the Reservoir Trail parking lot east of Blind Slough Dam at Stave Falls.
- The Railway Trail can be accessed from the Upper Railway Parking Lot or from the Hayward Lake Reservoir Recreation Area.
- Hayward Lake Reservoir will be drawn down to 33 metres from May through August this summer and again in 2013. Access to the beach at the Hayward Lake Reservoir Recreation Site will be closed as the beach has a very steep drop-off and cannot be used safely when the water is very low. The Hayward Lake boat launch will also be out of service during the drawdown. The dog off-leash area may be required for construction use. Other closures may be required for construction use or for safety requirements.
Hayward Lake Reservoir Beaches closed May to August 2012
Access to the beaches on the Hayward Lake Reservoir will be closed this summer as the water level will be drawn down to 33 metres from May through August. The beaches have a very steep drop-off and cannot be used safely when the water is very low.
The drawdown is required for construction related to the Ruskin Dam right abutment work and will comply with the conditions of the Water Licence. A similar drawdown to complete the work is scheduled for May through August 2013.
The Hayward Lake boat launch will also be out of service during the drawdown. The picnic grounds and the parking lot at the Hayward Lake Reservoir Recreation Area remain open.
Other closures may be required for construction use or for safety requirements.
Additional parking
We will be adding 79 parking spaces at the Hayward Lake Reservoir Recreation Area parking lot south of the Stave Visitor Centre parking. These will be available mid-August for public use.
The Upper Railway Trail parking lot will be open for the duration of the project. This parking lot provides access to the Railway Trail.
Please see the Ruskin Closures 2012-2018 Map [PDF, 129 KB] for further details on parking and closures.
