Campbell River system upgrades

What we're planning

Following the successful completion of the John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project (2014 – 2019), we’re now embarking on three dam safety capital projects in the Campbell River area. Constructed on-budget, the John Hart Generating Station project replaced the downstream station with a new underground tunnel and powerhouse. The upcoming capital projects will focus on improving seismic safety at all three dams on the Campbell River system.

After obtaining all regulatory and funding approvals, the John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade project construction started in July 2023. The Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project also has approvals in place with project construction underway in early 2025. The Strathcona Dam Water Discharge Upgrade Project is currently moving through the B.C. Utilities Commission regulatory process, scheduled to finish in 2025, with construction starting as early as fall 2025.

Learn more about these upgrades through our video series:

John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade Project

Upgrade the earthfill and concrete dam to improve seismic performance. This includes:

Placing upstream and downstream earthfill berms.
Adding an impermeable cut-off wall where required within the earthfill sections to act as a seepage barrier.
Anchoring of the concrete dam structures.
Upgrading the concrete roadway.

Construct permanent flood and flow imbalance risk mitigation upgrades. This include:

Adding an overflow spillway below the road deck.
Replacing the three spillway gates and related works, such as the hoist system, so they can safely and more reliably pass water in a controlled manner downstream after an earthquake.
Installing new equipment and upgrades to the existing protection and control equipment to meet current reliability standards, including improved post-earthquake operation.

Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project

Replacing the three spillway gates and related works, such as the hoist system, so they can retain and pass water in a controlled manner downstream post-earthquake.
Installing new equipment and upgrades to the existing protection and control equipment to meet current reliability standards, including improved post-earthquake operation.

Strathcona Dam Water Discharge Upgrade Project

Constructing a new low-level outlet structure to provide the capability for a deep reservoir drawdown, which is currently not possible. This work includes construction of a deep channel and placing two gates in a concrete structure located within the bedrock on the right or east side of the dam. Post-earthquake, a lower reservoir level will reduce the risks to the dam, and the controlled water releases from the dam also manages the risks to the downstream dams.
Replacing the existing three spillway gates and related works such as the hoist system with a new concrete overflow spillway, improving the reliability of the spillway system. The two new gates to be placed within the new channel, in addition to the Strathcona Generating Station discharges, will provide for downstream water management for fish, power generation and flood risk management.

Why we're doing it

For many decades, we've been assessing earthquake hazards at our dams and related facilities and upgrading the dams as required. In 2007, we launched a six-year, $10 million 'Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis' study, with the results released in 2014. We did this to create a best-in-class model for calculating earthquake hazards in B.C., and to use the results to better evaluate dam assessments and validate the resulting upgrades.

Not surprisingly, it was determined the highest risk in B.C. was on Vancouver Island given its proximity to the earth's shifting tectonic plates in the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Vancouver Island is within the most seismically active zone in B.C.

The study determined that significant capital upgrades would be required at all three Campbell River dams. Until they're upgraded, there is an interim downstream risk to the public.

The City of Campbell River, Strathcona Regional District and BC Hydro have been collaboratively working together since late 2014 to communicate to the downstream community the potential impact of a severe earthquake and what measures the public could do to protect themselves. We developed the saying: If it knocks you down, go to high ground.

Area affected

The Campbell River hydroelectric system is located within the Strathcona Regional District and the City of Campbell River. The watershed has significant fish, wildlife, recreation and domestic water supply values, among other water use interests.

The John Hart Dam and Strathcona Dam projects will cause public road closures across the dams. Brewster Lake Road, across the John Hart Dam, was closed in July 2023 and will be closed for about six years. The road across the Strathcona Dam will be closed for about three years starting in 2025.

Benefits to your community

These projects are primarily about downstream public safety. The expectation is that when the projects are complete, facilities like the John Hart Dam would be able to withstand a major earthquake and maintain the water within the reservoir. The facilities would also be able to release water, as they do today, in a controlled manner downstream. The projects would also benefit downstream fish and wildlife habitats, as well as domestic water supply, post-earthquake.

These projects will create significant subcontractor, supplier and service opportunities for companies on Vancouver Island. They will also create significant jobs.

To learn more about how we're working with the business community and job seekers on the Campbell River system upgrades, visit majorprojects.ca.

Cost

The estimated total cost range for the John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade Project, which started on schedule in summer 2023, is between $646 million and $923 million. This covers the period from when it was initiated in 2014 to the planned completion in 2030. The Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project cost estimates are between $297 million and $379 million, and the Strathcona Dam Water Discharge Upgrade Project range is from $302 million and $474 million. The combined total cost range for the three projects is $1.24 to $1.78 billion. The recent John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project came in under budget at about $1 billion.

Schedule

The John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade Project started construction in summer 2023, with completion anticipated for 2030.

We are planning for the Strathcona Dam Water Discharge Upgrade and Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade projects to begin in early 2025, with both scheduled to complete in 2028.

Project construction reports, news stories, videos and other updates can be found at www.majorprojects.ca.

Environmental impact

There are no anticipated reservoir level drawdowns required during the proposed construction periods.

We have undertaken various social and environmental studies of the areas around the dams, ranging from vegetation, wildlife and fish assessments, to water quality. This work continues and is being presented to First Nations, government agencies, and stakeholders.

Consultation

Since 2014, we've been consulting with First Nations and engaging the community on the proposed dam safety upgrades. One of the primary community engagement processes is through our Campbell River Hydroelectric Facilities Liaison Committee, which consists of about two-dozen stakeholders including government agencies, local government, environmental groups, recreation groups, business groups and others.

We'd like to hear from the Campbell River and wider community. We encourage you to go to our Campbell River Hydroelectric Facilities Discovery Centre located within the Elk Falls Suspension parking lot, off Highway 28. There, you can find out more about the projects and fill out a feedback form to provide comments, suggestions or concerns, and your degree of support for the projects.