Strathcona Dam
Find out about recreation area closures and restrictions.
Campbell River System - very dry water conditions - updated April 28, 2008 Since early December, there have been drought-like conditions for the Campbell River System. The weather has been cool and dry, with water inflows in the Campbell River System, year to date, being about 60% of historical average. As of April 28, Upper Campbell Reservoir and Lower Campbell Reservoir/McIvor Lake are at all-time historical lows. Since early January, BC Hydro has made a number of operational changes to try to deal with the extreme weather conditions. The most recent change, on April 25, moved the Campbell River flow down to 63% of target. The river flow under BC Hydro's water license is for 79 cubic metres per second (m3/s) or above for this time of year, but is currently flowing at 50 m3/s. This reduction was done to conserve water in the reservoirs. BC Hydro's updated inflow forecast estimates Upper Campbell Reservoir/Buttle Lake has a 50 per cent chance of reaching 218.8 m by June 15, and 219.2 by July 1. Ideal recreation on Upper Campbell Reservoir/Buttle Lake is about 219 m. As of April 28, the Upper Campbell Reservoir is at 209.5 m, approximately 1.3 m below it's all-time historical low. The reservoir is considered full at 220 m. For the Lower Campbell Reservoir and McIvor Lake, BC Hydro forecasts the reservoir going up about 2.5 metres over the April 28 level, to the 177.0 m recreation target range by June 21. As of April 28, the reservoir/lake is at 174.5 m, about 0.25 m below its all-time low. Weather is highly variable, so operationally, BC Hydro will continue to monitor the situation closely and make changes to reflect the environmental situation. The reductions in discharge downstream will help in recovering reservoir levels over the next few months. There is a good amount of snowmelt to come down (about 100% of average), but given the very low inflows and existing reservoir levels, it will take extra water inflows to bring the reservoir to normal conditions. BC Hydro will provide more updates in the weeks to come. For more information on reservoir levels, please contact Stephen Watson at steve.watson@bchydro.com or 250 755-4795. |
Access
Strathcona Dam Recreation Area is located at the southern end of Upper Campbell Lake Reservoir in the shadows of Strathcona Dam. It is easily accessible from Highway 28, and is only 30 km southwest of Campbell River. Look for the Strathcona Dam Recreation Area sign indicating the turnoff on the highway. Follow the signs along the forest service road for 4 km.
History and Hydroelectric Operation
Strathcona Dam was constructed between 1955 and 1958 by the BC Power Commission, a predecessor of BC Hydro. This dam, along with the Ladore and John Hart dams further downstream, make up the Campbell River hydro-electric system. Together the three developments harness a watershed of more than 1,400 square kilometres and produce 11% of Vancouver Island's power demand. Strathcona Dam is unique from its counterparts in that it is an earth-filled dam with an extremely wide base. Recently the dam was reinforced to ensure its safety and stability in the event of an earthquake.
Multiple Use
BC Hydro's reservoirs serve not only as a source of hydroelectric power, but also as recreation destinations for public enjoyment. BC Hydro, in cooperation with the Ministry of Forests, completed the Strathcona Dam Recreation Area in 1995. The Recreation Area offers a spacious campground with eleven campsites along the Lower Campbell Lake Reservoir and a large area for informal camping and trailer parking. A small beach and reservoir access are also provided. The lakes in the Campbell River system provide excellent fishing opportunities for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden char. The Strathcona Dam Campground makes an ideal base from which to explore the many attractive smaller lakes in the area.
Visitors
This recreation area is provided for your use and enjoyment by BC Hydro. Please respect the facilities and natural environment by observing the following rules:
- Deposit refuse in the containers provided.
- Please keep fires contained to the fire pits. Follow the campfire safety rules.
- The use of firearms and hunting in the Recreation Area is prohibited.
- Observe all posted signs.
- Maximum 14 overnight visits per season.
- Reserving sites is not permitted. Campers failing to occupy sites overnight may have their equipment removed at their expense so that others may use the site.
- No firewood is provided. Please bring your own or gather shoreline debris. Do not cut standing trees.
- This site is open to the public year round but only maintained on a regular schedule from May through September. During the off-season please pack out your garbage and leave the site tidy for other visitors.
Warning: Hydroelectric production creates special concerns for visitor safety. Avoid the designated hazard areas above and below the dam and obey all posted signs. Water releases occur suddenly and without warning. Flooding occurs downstream and strong surface and underwater currents are created upstream.
