Ruskin Dam & Powerhouse Upgrade

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Hayward Street Bridge over Ruskin Dam is closed through December 2009 to allow the first in a series of Ruskin Dam and Powerhouse upgrade projects.

Why upgrades to the Ruskin Dam and Powerhouse are needed

Since 1930 the 105-megawatt Ruskin Generating Station in Mission BC has made an important contribution to meeting the electricity needs of BC Hydro's customers. BC Hydro's electricity demand continues to grow; forecasts estimate this load to grow by approximately 25 to 40% over the next 20 years and the Ruskin facility helps ensure we are able to meet this increasing demand. The Ruskin facility, including the dam which creates Hayward Reservoir, is part of the Alouette-Stave-Ruskin hydroelectric system and is a particularly important part of the Province's power generation infrastructure given its location close to the large population base of the Lower Mainland.

International design standards for dams and our understanding of how dams perform during earthquakes have improved. Our investigations have shown that to ensure the dam meets current safety requirements, it needs to be upgraded. As well, the powerhouse structure needs to be upgraded including the powerhouse equipment which is at or near end of life and therefore needs to be replaced or overhauled. Upgrades to the dam and powerhouse will ensure they can be operated in a safer, environmentally responsible and more reliable manner in the future.

If a major earthquake happened near Ruskin Dam before the upgrades are completed, people directly downstream in and along the river channel below the dam could face rapidly rising water. Signs have been posted at access points below the dam to ensure that anyone entering the river channel–particularly popular among salmon anglers–is aware of this risk.

Project Status & Regulatory Review

The Ruskin Dam seismic upgrade and powerhouse improvement projects are progressing. In 2009, construction work on the Ruskin Dam right abutment will see the realignment of a portion of Wilson Street as well as other structural modifications to aid dam safety. Design work is continuing on future upgrades to the right abutment, the dam piers and gates and powerhouse. These projects require review by the British Columbia Utilities Commission, and if approved, construction is tentatively scheduled for 2010 through 2014.

Traffic and Recreation Use

During the 2009 construction period, to ensure public and worker safety single lane, access along Wilson Street is required. The Hayward Street Bridge over the Ruskin Dam is closed to all traffic. Pedestrian access across the dam will also be limited or closed depending on the construction activity on-going at the time and public safety.

The popular parks and trails above and below the Mission-area dam remain open. The Railway Trail parking lot is closed for construction use; in the interim another public use parking lot off Wilson Street is available for access to the Railway Trail and to provide day use of the popular 1st and 2nd beaches. Please note that parking is not permitted along Wilson Street adjacent to the parking lot. Tow away zones are enforced.

Signage on roads, trails and recreation areas will help inform the public of any access restrictions.

Tenders for work at Ruskin

BC Hydro will place publicly tendered opportunities for work at Ruskin on the BC Bid website.

We would like to hear from you

Project details have been made available through newsletters, advertisements and information sessions. For further information, call the project information line at 1 800 663 1377 or email Rochelle van Halm.

For more information on recreation in the Ruskin Dam area, see our detailed recreation information, including directions on how to access the area by vehicle via Mission or Maple Ridge