In 2017, a diversion dam on the Salmon River near Campbell River on Vancouver Island was decommissioned by BC Hydro, with help from various contractors including EDI. The rock-filled timber crib diversion dam had been built in 1958 for power generation. Options for managing the site underwent public consultation between 2007 and 2016. Issues associated with the dam included aging infrastructure, creosote-treated timbers used in the original construction, and the fact that the dam impeded fish passage. It was decided that the best course of action would be to remove the dam and restore the passage of steelhead trout and coho salmon up the river. Instream work needed to be completed in just 2.5 months, between the window of July 1 to September 15, to minimize potential effects to fish in the river. The project was successfully completed in this narrow timeframe.
Our Efforts on the Project:
- Writing the environmental protection plan and fish salvage plan.
- Developing mitigation measures.
- Salvaging 4,394 fish.
- Full time on-site environmental monitoring to support the contractor.
- Conducting water quality monitoring and bird nest surveys.
- Implementing erosion and sediment control.