Sturdy Creek Dam on Haida Gwaii to be decommissioned
QUEEN CHARLOTTE – BC Hydro is moving forward with a plan to decommission a small concrete dam on Haida Gwaii that has not been used in many years. Built in the 1940s, the four-metre high, 11-metre wide Sturdy Creek Dam has completely filled in with earth and the creek now runs over the top of the structure.
BC Hydro co-owns the Sturdy Creek Dam in the Village of the Queen Charlotte. It was previously used as a storage facility only, supplying water to a hospital and a diesel-powered generating station. There is no power generating equipment at the dam.
BC Hydro plans to completely remove the structure and the in-fill material with work expected to take place from mid-June through August of this year. Following the dam removal, the site will be restored and a small footbridge will be constructed over Sturdy Creek near the location of the former dam.
"Following a review of Sturdy Creek Dam, BC Hydro recommended that the dam be removed because it no longer serves any purpose and has long since fallen into disuse," said BC Hydro Dam Safety Manager, Stephen Rigbey. "In the interests of ensuring both public safety and the most natural environment possible, we are decommissioning the dam and restoring the area."
Although Sturdy Creek has low fisheries potential, bio-physical surveys of the site will be completed prior to the start of the removal of the dam. While none of the Project activities will trigger a Federal, or Provincial environmental assessment, an Environmental Management Plan is being produced to address the potential impacts that may result from the project activities and an Environmental Monitor will be on site during the removal work. Local First Nations and the Village of Queen Charlotte have been advised of the project.
The Ministry of Environment indicates that the dam is owned by five parties, including BC Hydro, based on the existing water licence. With the agreement of the co-owners, BC Hydro has taken the lead in assessing the dam's condition and determining what should be done with it.
The Village of Queen Charlotte is hosting its next Queen Charlotte Community Dialogue session on Thursday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers and BC Hydro Engineer Dave Cattanach will be on hand to discuss the dam decommissioning project.
For more information, please contact:
Bob Gammer
Northern Community Relations Manager
BC Hydro
Phone: 250 561 4858
Cell: 250 961 0676