BC Hydro update #8: Fraser River Transmission Infrastructure
3:15 p.m. PDT – Monday, July 11
VANCOUVER – Work continues today to stabilize a 500 kilovolt transmission tower and monitor the effect of high river flows, nearly one week after a 230-kilovolt transmission tower unexpectedly fell into the waters of the Fraser River on July 4 likely due to accelerated erosion.
Stabilizing the 500-kilovolt towers (one on the south side directly on the riverbank and one on the north side further away from the riverbank)
- Since Thursday crews have placed two-barges full of riprap (loose rocks and boulders) along the river bed on the south side to increase stability and prevent additional erosion, with more to come.
- This is precise, time-consuming work, as crews must place the riprap underwater using cranes and can only do so when water levels, which fluctuate with the tide, permit.
- The placement and effectiveness of the riprap is monitored using bathymetric underwater monitoring equipment.
Removing the 230 kilovolt tower
- Onsite crews continue to develop plans for the safe removal of the fallen 230 kilovolt tower from the Fraser River. No removal has started as yet.
Daily monitoring and assessment and standard monitoring procedures
- BC Hydro continues to monitor the stability of the towers around-the-clock.
- In addition to the bathymetric equipment used to observe the foundation of the river bed, specialists are also using surveying equipment with laser technology to detect any movement of the tower above ground.
- BC Hydro is also continuing to monitor transmission infrastructure province-wide that may be impacted by high water levels.
For further background, please visit www.bchydro.com/mediabulletins.
For more information
BC Hydro Media Relations
Phone: 604 928 6468