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A 3D rendering of Chain Lake Dam can be viewed here.
View the spring 2025 project newsletter here. The newsletter can also be accessed under the Documents tab.
The service area petition process has been briefly postponed. No action is required at this time. Project updates will be posted here when finalized.
Background
Chain Lake Dam is an earth-filled embankment, complete with a concrete spillway and a corrugated steel culvert Low Level Outlet (LLO). The dam, located in Electoral Area "H" approximately 36 km northeast of Princeton, British Columbia, is situated at the south end of Chain Lake and flows into Hayes Creek. The dam currently impounds approximately 1,348,000 m³ of water at the spillway crest level, and the watershed area upstream of the dam is approximately 9.2 km². Currently, the consequence classification for the dam is rated “Significant,” and partial failure could lead to downstream flooding and flood damage.
Chain Lake Dam Upgrade Information Meeting - February 5, 2025
FAQ
Frequently asked questions will be added here.
- What is the estimated cost of decommissioning the dam?
- Who pays for the decommissioning of the existing dam?
- What happens if the cost of the upgrade is in excess of the estimated amount?
- Have all grant opportunities been exhausted, or are there more being considered?
- With respect to ongoing costs, is there any risk that could escalate and be passed on to property owners?
- The dam classification is identified as HIGH; are there any risks going forward?
- Are copies of the existing bylaws available on the project website?
- Is there a breakdown for the $24,000 of operating costs?
- With cost overruns on other capital projects being a concern, is there an allowance for a property owners representative to be part of an oversight committee making decisions regarding use of funds?
- Is the Shinish Creek Diversion bylaw a separate or combined bylaw with the dam structure?
- Is the Province part of the 62 properties participating in the project expense?
- If the residents are funding a significant portion of this project, can the RDOS waive the residents annual property taxes each year until the funded amount is matched?
- How do we find out if our property will be included in the cost of the new dam?
- To date, we haven’t received information on the Chain Lake upgrade. Where is the best place to access the project information?
- The properties currently in the Chain Lake/Shinish Creek Service Area will be included in the Chain Lake Dam Upgrade project. How do we know if we are in the above service area?
- Will the cost of the project be levied according to property value or divided between the 62 properties?
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