Rio Tinto (Alcan) Has Increased Flows Into Nechako

Wednesday, December 12, 2007 04:00 AM

The Nechako River, as viewed from Pulpmill Road, is jammed with ice.

According to information obtained by Opinion250, Alcan (Rio Tinto) has been spilling into the Nechako River 84.1 cubic meters of water per second (2,970 cubic feet) from the skins Lake Spillway, Which compares to a normal outflow at the Skins Lake spillway of 29.5 cubic meters per second (1041 cubic feet).

While officials of the company have not responded to phone calls, the company has announced that the snow pack in the Nechako watershed for this time of year is now at 100% of normal.

It is also known that the company intends to spill this amount of water into the Nechako until February 15^th, 2008.

The power lines knocked out as a result of record snow fall in the Kemano region have been repaired. In addition, all but one of the 8 generators the company operates at Kemano are operating. Those generators have been running at about 87% capacity.

At present the company is producing about 600 Megawatts of power from that operation, about 300 megawatts is being used by Rio Tinto in Aluminum production in Kitimat, 150 Mega watts is being sold to BC hydro and the remaining 150 megawatts is being sold to Powerex for sale into the US.

As of December 6^th the Kenny Dam level stood at 2798.54 feet. No reason has been given as to why the company chooses to increase the spill from the Skins Spillway when the ice began to form on the Nechako River. The last time that the company increased the flow into the Nechako River in 1997, flooding also occurred along some stretches of the River brought about by Ice jams that formed.

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Posted on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 04:00 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: DPJ on December 12 2007 4:34 AM

Rio Tinto has to learn from the mistake Alcan did in 1997. Learn that there is ice up here in Canada instead of 356 days of beach weather down in USA

Posted by: Denial on December 12 2007 6:57 AM

Nothing will be done about this guarranteed. Rio Tinito - "We dont give a DAM"

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on December 12 2007 7:34 AM

Rio Tinto doesn't have to learn anything.

They just changed the name on the door. All the same old Alcan people are still making the same decisions about water flows.

Posted by: bohemian on December 12 2007 7:36 AM

Now everyone knows who should pay for the damage.

Posted by: Parrothead on December 12 2007 7:51 AM

Should? Yes. Will? No.

Buttwipe corporation that it is.

Posted by: metalman on December 12 2007 7:52 AM

How about water flows after Feb. '08?
Will they maintain enough flow to support the health of the fish? Will a boat be able to navigate the length of the Nechako?
Will Toronto win the Stanley Cup?
metalman.

Posted by: giterdun on December 12 2007 8:10 AM

THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE FLOODS BOTH IN VANDERHOOF LAST SUMMER AND PRINCE GEORGE THIS WINTER SHOULD LAUNCH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST RIO-ALCAN FOR DAMAGES. THE RESEVOIR WATER HAS BEEN TOTALY MISS- MANAGED BY ALCAN SOLELY FOR THEIR ECONOMIC BENIFIT. ANYBODY WHO THINKS OTHERWISE, IS SADLY MISTAKEN. THIS COMPANY HAS AN AGENDA....TO COMPLETE THE KEMANO 2 PROJECT. THE WATER LEVELS AND THE RESULTING FLOODS COULD BE CONTROLED, BUT ALCAN CHOSES TO LET THIS HAPPEN IN ORDER TO BUILD THEIR CASE...MORE GENERATION-- MORE WATER USED THEREFORE LESS CHANCE OF FLOODS.THESE GUYS ARE MASTERS OF MINIPULATION. LOOK THROUGH THE SMOKE FOLKS...FIRE!!!!

Posted by: Andyfreeze on December 12 2007 8:31 AM

If we had a B.C.government with any family jewels,this would not be happening.
Time to tell Rio/Tinto/Alcan to deal with it.
Who the hell are these guys?
Another mini Enron?

Posted by: Howrd_B_Stern on December 12 2007 9:20 AM

The problem we have in Canada is that we do not have a federal agency to watch over corporations. Oh sure, each province has their own little trade laws, but nothing substantial to protect ordinary citizens and small businesses from corporate giants like Alcan.

Conrad Black was nailed because he broke federal laws in the US and was under invesitgation from a few federal US agencies that are now on high alert for while collar crime. I believe that we will see more CEO's nailed to the wall in the US and rightfully so.

CEO's in the US and in Canada make incredible amounts of money that in reality puts them out of touch with the middle and working class. They somehow believe they are entitled to act as they please and do whatever they want with their companies. Alcan really doesn't give a rats furry behind about the people of PG nor the businesses that are affected by their lack of judgment. This is one of the hidden rules of wealth class; the rules do not apply to me.

Posted by: diplomat on December 12 2007 11:20 AM

"...the company has announced that the snow pack in the Nechako watershed for this time of year is now at 100% of normal."

I am announcing that the snowpack next to my driveway and on the roof of the house is now at 250% of normal for this time of the year.

Tintocan, learn to manage the water levels behind your dam according to scientific prognostications and not by a wooden float with a rope attached to it...

I heard forecasts of a La Nina type winter already in July 2007 - long winter with a lot of precipitation - the scientists said.

Posted by: northman on December 12 2007 3:25 PM

Should be interesting in the spring if the ice dams are still there when the spring run off starts. Better move to high ground!

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on December 12 2007 4:11 PM

"..Better move to high ground!.."

You mean you could get wet if you live a couple feet above the low water mark?

Posted by: Ragtop on December 12 2007 6:30 PM

You think its tough dealing with Alcan now even though the Aussies own Rio Tinto thus Alcan.Just wait and see how tough it will be if the rumours come true that the Chinese are looking at buying Rio Tinto

Posted by: Howard Mills on December 13 2007 7:53 AM

Same old anti Alcan rhetoric every time the river floods - If your figures were correct half of the Kitimat smelter would be shut down. Infact the figures that your dodgy 'source' encouraged you to swallow are wrong by a factor of 100%. Over 600Mw is being used at the smelter at the moment. Lets have some responsible journalism from Opinion 250 for the sake of all of us that live in the NW.

Posted by: billetman on December 13 2007 7:36 PM

Yip, leave it to the gumboot doctor to say everybody is against Alcan and that news agencies should be responsible journalists. He forgets to mention the responsibility to report the facts truthfully like the opinion poll conducted by him and his pro Alcan cronies about the court challenge from the D of K, they have skewered those facts but that is ok. Dr Mills stick to medicine and find another way to pay off your million dollar bed and breakfast operation without having to rely on Alcan utilizing your operation. Back Alcan for the right reasons, not just Alcan as an extra source of income for you, remember there are families who rely on the employment of SMELTING aluminum for Alcan for a living we don't all own million dollar properties and have a physicians salary to rely on ! We are all on Alcan's side but they have to be responsible too and that responsibility is to the people of BC and especially the northwest.

Posted by: Howard Mills on December 14 2007 12:35 AM

Come out of the closet Billetman - we'd all be most surprised if your mother christened you thus...got a name?
Of course news agencies should employ responsible journalists...are you happy to blindly build your opinions on fantasy and false facts?
The poll that you mention was conducted by the town, for the town. It showed what has been known for a long time, that 95% of Kitimat is looking forward to the rebuild and wishes the DoK to stop wasting their hard earned cash to do nothing more than delay the project and put the last hope for the Northwest at risk.
Does Galore Creek ring a bell? 2 Billion ring a bell? Delays and '5 Billion too expensive' cause concern?
Should you have an interest in the facts, Alcan makes more from smelting aluminium than from putative power sales...follow the proceedings at the BCUC and you'll discover 'tis so.
You seem to criticize those that believe in and invest in their home community
...isn't that the very essence of a successful and healthy community - one in which the inhabitants have a stake?...or perhaps your prehistoric and disconnected vision is still one of a community which is run and owned by big business?
Now back to my original comment, the figures from 250 are wrong...

Posted by: billetman on December 14 2007 2:31 PM

Dr Mills When you say the poll was conducted by the town I must say you are wrong ! The poll i received had no city lettering on it at all and if i remember correctly being signed by a group of unsigned concerned citizens.Anyways why are you hiding behind the moniker of Howard Mills should'nt it be Dr Howard Mills !