Editor:
There have been emails, articles and postings on Facebook in regards to Providence Dam and the position the province has on this issue.
Unfortunately, some of the information is not correct and misleading of the process that this has and will be going through.
The conservation storage license on Providence Dam was obtained by Okanagan Fisheries Section in 1984.
Since that time, routine inspection and minor maintenance works have been completed on the facility on an annual basis.
In June 2010, after Testalinden Dam in Oliver breached, the Province conducted inspections on all of their dams. During the inspection on the Providence Dam, a number of concerns were identified by the Ministry, which warranted further investigation.
A Dam Safety Review was completed in December 2010, which identified a number of concerns.
Many meetings with ministry, local and regional governments, as well as myself, began in Jan. 2011 to review and source opportunities that would enable maintaining the dam in its current state.
Given that there were no solutions, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ Fish and Wildlife section has decided to decommission the dam due to its high consequence rating and the cost to bring the dam up to Canadian Dam Standards.
An offer had been extended to the City of Greenwood, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and any public organization to transfer the water license as well as the risk and liability to their respective organization but all offers have been declined.
No one is in a financial position to upgrade the dam or accept the risk or liability.
The ministry will proceed with decommissioning the dam in spring 2013, and as required by law it is currently working on a decommissioning plan that will provide the required 60 days advance notice.
In the meantime, the ministry will be drawing down water levels this week for safety reasons.
Marshall Lake will not be drained but lowered to its original size – prior to dam construction and will continue to be stocked with rainbow trout to support recreational fishing in the area.
John Slater MLA, Boundary-Similkameen
