Image: Herber River Dam Remediation

Sustainability2 min read

Herber River Dam Remediation

Location
Gold River, BC
Client
BC Hydro
Timeframe
2008 – 2013

Ausenco was instrumental in providing engineering advice, technical direction, monitoring, and management support throughout all stages of the decommissioning project.

Overview

Located on the Heber River on the west side of Vancouver Island, BC Hydro’s Heber Diversion Dam was built in 1958 and ceased operation in 2006. The dam and diversion are located on either provincial park or provincial crown land within the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation Territory. Following the decision to decommission the dam, BC Hydro removed all components of the diversion, and completed remediation, restoration, and rehabilitation of all areas that were used in conjunction with the facility. In addition, BC Hydro completed long-term monitoring of restoration and recovery associated with the removal of the diversion. A large component of this project involved managing site contamination issues associated with the use of creosote to maintain the woodstave diversion pipeline.

Approach

Ausenco served as the owner’s engineer onsite during the deconstruction work and provided technical input into field decisions. Our team of professionals provided support in the following areas:

  • Provided contaminated site services including Phase 1, 2, and 3 Environmental Site Assessments, remedial options evaluation, conceptual and detailed remedial design, and risk management planning, including the development of a Remedial Action Plan
  • Completed a conceptual and detailed design for dam decommissioning and restoration activities
  • Supported the development of the detailed technical specifications for the tender, and was part of the tender evaluation team
  • Developed a strategic memorandum for input into BC Hydro’s strategic decision-making (SDM) process for determining whether BC Hydro needed to obtain a certificate of compliance (COC) for the site
  • Developed options for managing elevated background copper concentrations in soils, and provided advice regarding the evaluation of risks associated with elk and deer meat consumption from elk and deer foraging near or on the diversion property
  • Supported the development of environmental management plans (EMPs), communicated EMP requirements to the construction services crew and contractors, and completed environmental and ecological monitoring throughout the project’s decommissioning phase
  • Completed the compliance reporting in support of the COC and supported BC Hydro in communicating with stakeholders and the Ministry of Environment.

Results

Ausenco was instrumental in providing engineering advice, technical direction, monitoring, and management support throughout all stages of the decommissioning project, working with BC Hydro, as well as onsite construction crews and contractors, provincial government agencies, and First Nations to ensure that all decommissioning activities were conducted in compliance with approved EMPs and in accordance with all regulatory and First Nations requirements.