Chain Lake Dam Upgrade

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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.

In 2018, an audit of the dam highlighted that the LLO had exceeded its life expectancy and that the cold joints in the spillway were deteriorating. To address the concerns of the audit, the RDOS commissioned an inspection of the dam in May 2021. The findings of this inspection indicated it would be prudent to upgrade the existing dam by replacing the concrete spillway and the 550 mm diameter corrugated steel pipe (CSP) low-level outlet. These findings have prompted the request for dam upgrade engineering services for the site.

The RDOS has requested proposals for the completion of pre-design, detailed design, tendering, construction services and post construction documentation for the proposed Chain Lake Dam upgrades.

The dam upgrade project includes the design and construction of a replacement dam with a new single-stage reinforced concrete spillway structure and a single-span pre-fabricated bridge.



In order to pay for the replacement dam, a new Service Area will need to be created. If no Service Area is created, the only option will be to decommission the dam.

Next steps:

  • Establish the service area boundaries.
  • Provide detailed plans and information on this RDOS Regional Connections project page as part of the public engagement initiative.
  • Hold a referendum to vote on whether to move forward.

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.

In 2018, an audit of the dam highlighted that the LLO had exceeded its life expectancy and that the cold joints in the spillway were deteriorating. To address the concerns of the audit, the RDOS commissioned an inspection of the dam in May 2021. The findings of this inspection indicated it would be prudent to upgrade the existing dam by replacing the concrete spillway and the 550 mm diameter corrugated steel pipe (CSP) low-level outlet. These findings have prompted the request for dam upgrade engineering services for the site.

The RDOS has requested proposals for the completion of pre-design, detailed design, tendering, construction services and post construction documentation for the proposed Chain Lake Dam upgrades.

The dam upgrade project includes the design and construction of a replacement dam with a new single-stage reinforced concrete spillway structure and a single-span pre-fabricated bridge.



In order to pay for the replacement dam, a new Service Area will need to be created. If no Service Area is created, the only option will be to decommission the dam.

Next steps:

  • Establish the service area boundaries.
  • Provide detailed plans and information on this RDOS Regional Connections project page as part of the public engagement initiative.
  • Hold a referendum to vote on whether to move forward.