BC Hydro recently completed sensitive environmental work at the John Hart Dam, getting ready for seismic upgrades starting this summer.
Last month the utility finished a new non-public boat launch into the reservoir, installed culverts, and relocated power and fiber-optic lines. During the work, 147 salamanders were captured and relocated by environmental monitors. The boat launch will be used by BC Hydro workers during the seismic upgrade project.
The dam provides water for the John Hart Generation Station, which produces 138 megawatts of power for Vancouver Island. The generation station was upgraded several years ago, but the dam is now being upgraded to better withstand earthquakes.
The dam controls water from John Hart Lake, which is also the water supply for the City of Campbell River.
Seismic upgrades are scheduled to begin in July and will close the road across the dam for six years.
