Spillway Gate Reliability Program
BC Hydro has flood discharge gate systems (spillway gates) at 22 facilities that are required to operate on demand for dam safety reasons. Many of these gate systems, including those at Stave Falls Blind Slough Dam, are becoming old and some are nearing the end of their service life.
Upgrading gates to modern standards is required to continue safe operation of our reservoirs and dams. These upgrades will take a number of years to complete. We have to act now before allowing the gates to fall into disrepair.
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Dam safety and BC HydroBC Hydro owns, operates and maintains 41 dam facilities throughout British Columbia as a major part of its generating system. It is accountable to the government of B.C., and in particular to the Comptroller of Water Rights, for ensuring the safety of these dams. BC Hydro regularly reviews its dam facilities to ensure they meet or exceed current dam safety and reliability requirements and are in compliance with applicable federal and provincial legislation. When appropriate, BC Hydro develops plans to maintain and/or upgrade these facilities to ensure reliable power for generations. Under the Utilities Commission Act, projects that have implementation costs exceeding $50 million must be reviewed by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to receive either a Determination or a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to ensure that the cost of the project is in the public interest. About spillway gatesSpillway gates in BC Hydro dams act as movable water barriers, impounding and controlling the amount of water that can be discharged from the reservoir. These gates are critical components of any dam and are generally used in times of flood when high inflows exceed the ability of generating units to use all of the water. Spillway Gate Reliability Upgrade ProgramThe Spillway Gate Reliability Upgrade Program was created to put in place the equipment and procedural improvements needed to ensure that the spillway gates at all BC Hydro sites can operate reliably as needed. The upgrades include spillway gates, spillway gate hoists and towers, and all systems such as the electrical, mechanical, civil, protection and control systems. The scope of work varies at each of the 22 facilities, and will be implemented in a prioritized manner over the next 10 years or so. Stave Falls Blind Slough Dam in MissionWork on the spillway gates and associated equipment such as the radial gates, hoists, electrical, protection and control, fire protection equipment at the Stave Falls Blind Slough Dam is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2011. This project does not trigger any environmental regulatory reviews. However, its cost is greater than $50 million, so BC Hydro is required to have the project vetted through the British Columbia Utilities Commission process. This work has been planned so there are no Stave Reservoir or Hayward Reservoir draw downs required. Environmental and traffic management plans will be in place for all construction activities and all water license requirements will be met. BC Hydro has a protocol in place with emergency agencies and the District of Mission for Dewdney Trunk Road closures, which includes notification to the community. The project has been designed to keep closures to a minimum. Other projects not part of the spillway gate program are being investigated. They include replacement of the gantry crane on the dam, and improvements to site communications systems including reservoir level monitoring devices, and replacing the existing debris boom. These initiatives do not require review by the British Columbia Utilities Commission and may begin in 2010. How will we keep you informed?Project updates and/or advertisements will be published in local newspapers. If you have a question about the Stave Falls Blind Slough Dam Spillway Gate Reliability Upgrade Program, please email us. |
Last Modified: May 13, 2009
