BC Hydro has extended the road closure to Brewster Lake Road across the John Hart Dam.
The road was set to open on Oct. 11, but will now open on Oct. 31. The nearby detour route around the dam is Iron River Road.
BC Hydro has been upgrading the facility since Aug. 24, and removed the highest seismic risk to the John Hart Dam, according to BC Hydro spokesman Stephen Watson.
“The project cost was approximately $3 million and had an average of about 16 people working on the site,” said Waston. “A robust environmental monitoring program was in place, and no water turbidity or water quality issues were recorded for the protection of fish and fish habitat, and the domestic water supply.”
BC Hydro will now test the John Hart Dam Spillway Gates to ensure all three gates are fully operational and reliable for the upcoming storm season.
BC Hydro is also creating community awareness about details of the proposed John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project, and it’s looking for feedback.
As BC Hydro prepares for the regulatory and procurement processes to begin by spring 2012, it’s looking for an overall interpretive concept plan for BC Hydro’s 248-acre property.
This fall, an Interpretive Plan for BC Hydro’s John Hart property will be developed, with the goal of providing the community and stakeholders with a general overview for the site, so the finer interpretive details can be worked out with the community and stakeholders. The interpretive plan will include details about trails, river access, interpretive education options, and what may appear on the external walls (façade) of the generating station building. A questionnaire has been developed to obtain more community feedback.
The possible interpretive concepts will only be considered if there is local and regional support as well as appropriate levels of funding.
BC Hydro has also made project commitments to Brewster Lake Road Bridge, Canyon View Trail configuration during and after construction, and river access. To fill out an interpretive concept questionnaire, contact steve.watson@bchydro.com or 250-755-4795.