Council provided update on Colliery Dams options

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed November 5, 2014 12:30 PM

Summary

During its Committee of the Whole Meeting held November 3, Council directed staff to review the Colliery Dams flooding analysis and alternate swale/drainage course options, which will include: review of water distribution in an overtopping situation, review of paths of existing spillway, and review the concept of an alternate swale/drainage course to Harewood Creek.

The work to be undertaken will allow for additional review of the overtopping flow rate and the capacity of the existing spillway, which will form the basis of remediation options that are being considered for the Lower Colliery Dam.

Previously, Council has reviewed remediation options for the dams that include deepening the existing spillway or armouring the embankment downstream of the dam to prevent erosion during an overtopping situation.

Following a recent site visit with community representatives, Golder engineers and City staff, a third option of creating an alternative spillway from the Lower Colliery Dam reservoir to the Harewood Creek (approximately 60-80 metres long) was reviewed.

Link to Strategic Plan: Taking responsibility to be an excellent municipal government.

Key Points

Council has approved additional review of the Colliery Dams remediation options, which included analysis of water distribution and capacity of existing spillway.
Also, Council approved consideration of an alternate swale/drainage course to Harewood Creek.

Quotes

Quick Facts

The option for an alternative spillway was previously reviewed in March 2014, but was rejected as too invasive, as it would lead to a clearing of approximately two acres of the park.
A revised alternative spillway option would be much narrower and deeper than previously proposed, and, if constructed, would be lined with concrete mats and vegetated to prevent erosion flowing into the Harewood Creek.

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Contact:

Toby Seward

Acting General Manager of Community Development and Protective Services

City of Nanaimo

250-755-4424

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