Trail Closures Coming As Part Of Seismic Upgrades To The John Hart Dam

Some trail closures are coming as part of seismic upgrades to the John Hart dam.

BC Hydro is making improvements to the downstream side of the main earthfill dam, and part of that work includes the installation of about 300 steel H-piles to anchor the base of the dam.

The sound from that piling work will exceed safe hearing levels so nearby public trails will be closed for about eight weeks.

The upper trails within the Elk Falls Provincial Park that lead to the Dolphin Pool area will be closed Monday to Friday from September 3rd to November 4th.

Temporary fencing and awareness signage will be in place. Access to the Elk Falls Suspension Bridge will remain open.

BC Hydro’s Stephen Watson says they've been planning and working closely on the project for years with BC Parks.

Originally, he says, work was to last about six months, but they’ve managed to whittle that time down to only a couple. “We’ve also picked a good time of the year for wildlife. We appreciate people’s understanding to please stay away from that area and obey site signage.”

When sounds exceed 85 decibels, with extended exposure, it can cause hearing damage.

BC Hydro says the sound may slightly exceed that sound threshold during the H-pile driving work when pounding in the 17 metre-long steel piles, which is why the trails in the immediate area need to be closed.

Watson says they have sound and wildlife monitoring in place and may adjust the closure areas and signage based on the actual sound readings.

The John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade Project started last summer and will take about six years to complete.

In April, a new water seepage barrier was completed in the main earth fill dam, and an upstream earth fill berm on the north section of the dam is planned to be complete before the end of summer.