New Flood Concerns on Nechako

By 250 News

Homes along the Nechako River in Vanderhoof,   the river as it looked Sunday afternoon, photo submitted by Opinion250 reader.

Former Vanderhoof Mayor Frank Read says while there have been meetings with the Council in Vanderhoof about possible flooding on the Nechako River due to an impending release of water from the Skins Lake spillway , Vanderhoof residents have been left in the dark.  "I do know that Alcan talked to the Council and told them to get prepared for possible flooding. There have been helicopters flying up and down the river over the past few days."

Vanderhoof’s Alcan spokesman Justus Beckyuhansen, acknowledges Alcan has met with the Council of Vanderhoof. When asked if the company had conveyed a message about possible flooding, he said ‘I’m not in a position to answer that’. When asked when water will be spilled he replied  "We have not yet finalized a discharge plan, but we will have to spill”.

(photo at right of Burrard Street Bridge over Nechako River in Vanderhoof, submitted by Opinion250 reader)

Beckyuhansen said a public meeting will be held in Vanderhoof on April 11^th, the place has yet to be announced at which time information will be given. When asked if that meeting might take place after water has been released from the Skins Lake spill way, he said "Yes, that’s possible “

The necessity for a  release of water at the Skins Lake spill comes as a result of two events.

1. A slide along the power line which feeds the power from Kemano to Kitimat was knocked out recently as a result of the heavy snowfall and rain that occurred in the region.
2. There is a problem with one of the seven turbine-generators that the company has in operation at the power house.

A Kitimat resident says, ‘they have been going flat out with those seven turbines selling power . In the past, Alcan always had one (turbine) down for maintenance but haven’t in recent times."

Apparently that turbine must come out of service and the Kemano power station cannot release water  through the turbines, if they are not working . So if water has to be spilled from the Kenney Dam, it will have to be  released  through the Skins Lake facility.  This  would be in addition to the water that must be released in the spring  for salmon migration.

Jim Whyte, Director of Operations with the Provincial Emergency Preparedness in Victoria says, PEP has nothing to do with the regulation of the Nechako River. “Alcan’s job is to keep the public informed down stream. It is up to them to ensure that they do not create adverse conditions along the river “.   Whyte says  there are lots of  issues to be  considered "We fully understand that the snow pack is about 165 % of normal , this year’s condition is similar to what took place in 1997, and 2002."

"If there is a flood,"  says Whyte,  "the fault for that flood will be determined by the courts, they (Alcan) have regulations that they must adhere to and those regulations do not fall under the mandate of PEP."   

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