B.C. dam getting massive seismic makeover

CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. — The John Hart dam is getting a massive safety upgrade that could cost more than $800 million.

BC Hydro announced it will begin the process of planning seismic upgrades for the Campbell River facility. Key components of the project include new upstream and downstream berms, a spillway gate and hoist replacement, a new overflow spillway and an additional water seepage barrier in the middle of the earth-fill dam.

“This is an important project for the Campbell River area,” said Bruce Ralston, minister of energy, mines and low-carbon innovation, in a statement. “It will provide benefits to the local economy, for public safety, and for clean electricity generation.”

BC Hydro estimates the work will cost between $497 million and $822 million. The estimate will be adjusted as the project moves forward. BC Hydro has initiated the first stage in the procurement process with a request for proposals for the civil contract.

BC HYDRO — Visitors take a look at the new low level outlet facility below the John Hart Dam, after the completion of a generating station replacement project in 2019. BC Hydro is now embarking on a new massive upgrade to the facility that will update its seismic resilience.

“The John Hart dam is a key component of BC Hydro’s infrastructure on Vancouver Island,” says Chris O’Riley, president and CEO of BC Hydro. “The upgrades are required to strengthen the dam so that it can continue to operate safely and reliably.”

BC Hydro started consultation with local stakeholders regarding upgrades in 2014 and is continuing consultation with the We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and K’omoks First Nations.

“Keeping people safe is an important part of everything we do,” said Michele Babchuk, MLA for North Island. “Upgrading the John Hart Dam will do exactly that and bring good jobs to local families here in Campbell River.”

The proposed John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade project follows the last significant upgrade to the John Hart system, which was the completion of the John Hart Generating Station Replacement project. This project consisted of the construction of a new generating station over a five-year period.

Construction is expected to begin in 2023 and the upgrades are expected to be complete in 2029. An application will be submitted to the BC Utilities Commission for approval.

The dam was originally built in the 1940s and is approximately 34 metres tall and more than 800 metres long. BC Hydro has also proposed seismic safety upgrade projects at the Ladore and Strathcona facilities within the Campbell River system. Next steps for those projects include the regulatory and procurement processes.