June 1, 2006
Flooding in Castlegar Impacts Construction at the Brilliant Dam

Victoria Day weekend on the Kootenay River was marked by warm weather and evacuation warnings for local residents. The combination of large amounts of snowfall from the previous winter followed by unseasonably warm weather experienced in the area in recent days has resulted in significantly higher than average volumes of water flowing along the river in the week surrounding the national holiday.

According to Elena Cigala-Fulgosi, the water on the high side of the dam was three meters higher than the maximum normal level. Subsequently, the dam was operating with three gates open, rather than the usual one gate. This means that approximately three times the regular volume of water was passing through the dam on a daily basis. Elena also reported that a flood like this has not been seen in at least 30 years.

The Brilliant dam is currently under construction to add an additional generating station, and the construction efforts on the low side of the dam may have been impeded by the high water levels. According to Elena, the construction ramp on the low water side was completely washed out by the rushing waters. As work on the low side of the dam is nearing completion, it has not been determined if the construction ramp will be rebuilt in order to continue work or if a barge will be used instead.

At the time of this article the water levels are receding, and while areas upstream had been previously evacuated and areas downstream remain under the threat of potential floods, some people have been advised that, at least temporarily, it is safe for them to return to their homes.

Pictures:

Brilliant Dam office complex knee braces in water.
Gates 7 and 8 down stream view
Downstream of the Brilliant Dam
Gates on April 24th with normal water levels - only one flood gate open.