Major Spill in Works for Nechako ?

Sunday, April 08, 2007 12:53 PM

Measuring gauge on one of the bridge supports on the bridge over the Nechako in Vanderhoof ( photo submitted by opinion250 reader)

The Nechako River has just begun to rise.

Dennis and June Wood, who live on the upper reaches of the Nechako River close to the Kenny Dam say they are noticing an increase in water levels.

The couple operates Nechako Retreat and ranch in the area . They say a few chunks of ice are now beginning to show and the river has come up "Oh so slightly." says June Wood. She says "Usually, when Alcan releases water, it takes a couple of days to hit our ranch, and then a couple more to get to Vanderhoof."

Dennis Wood says he thinks a lot of the snow that is melting in the region is going right into the ground and that is a good thing. "I have noticed out in the fields that the water is going into the ground. The snow came so early last fall that there was very little frost in the ground and I think that is helping get rid of the snow pack". Dennis says the snow is still knee deep in the bush around their ranch.

Meantime, Opinion250 has been told Alcan intends to ramp up the spill into the Nechako to 450 cubic meters per second (16,000 cubic Ft.) as soon as the ice on Cheslatta and Murray Lakes has moved from the shore. That release amount would be much the same as the highest amount released during a peak summer cooling process.

There are reports that generators are not operating at the Kemano power station. One is out of commission because of a mechanical failure; the other was shut down because one of the power lines running from Kemano to Kitimat was knocked out by a slide. One of the two lines running from Kemano continues to operate and that line has been sufficient to carry the necessary power to operate the Kitimat Smelter.

There are 8 generators at the Kemano power station, with two knocked out six remain operating.

The 450 cubic meters spill is expected to only be for a short time to allow for the spring run off at the Kenny dam. Opinion 250 has tried to confirm this latest information with Alcan, but calls have been diverted to the Manager of Stakeholder and Community Relations, at the time of posting this story, she had not returned our calls.

A meeting is set for theis Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Vanderhoof Friendship Center. Officials from Alcan and the Provincial Water Comptroller will be on hand.

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