Colliery Dam Update

City receives revised Order from the Provincial Dam Safety Section

Summary

On April 29 the City received a revised Order from the Province's Dam Safety Section which included the consideration of a third option (overtopping design) to address risks associated with the Lower Colliery Dam. The revised Order states that, pursuant to the Water Act, the Comptroller of Water Rights orders the City of Nanaimo to:

  • Select one of three Lower Dam remediation options (labyrinth spillway design, auxiliary spillway design or overtopping design);

  • Notify the Province of the selected option by June 1, 2015 and, if proceeding with the overtopping option, include a report from a qualified independent expert concurring the overtopping meets the required regulations (the independent expert is required to have qualifications in dam design, hydrology and overtopping protection of dams);

  • Prepare and submit design and construction plans to the Province by June 22, 2015;

  • Substantially complete construction of the chosen remediation option by November 15, 2015;

  • Evaluate options to remediate the Middle Colliery Dam by the end of 2015 and implement a revised plan no later than 2017.

Link to Strategic Plan: N/A

Key Points

  • The timelines provided to the City by the Comptroller of Water Rights must be carried out in a tight window of time. City Staff will work closely with all required parties to meet the associated deadlines.
  • Members of the public seeking information concerning the Colliery Dams are encouraged to visit the Colliery Dam Information page located on the City's website.

Quotes

"City Staff will quickly move forward with identifying a third party expert that is acceptable to the Comptroller."

Acting GM, Community Development and Protective Services
City of Nanaimo
-30-

Contact:

Toby Seward
Acting GM, Community Development and Protective Services
City of Nanaimo
250-755-4424

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