Wilsey Dam on the Shuswap River east of Lumby (Photo credit: BC Hydro)

By Pete McIntyre

East of Lumby

BC Hydro to decommission dam to improve fish passage

Sep 20, 2021 | 2:51 PM

A more than 90-year-old hydroelectric dam on the Shuswap River is being shut down by BC Hydro.

The government-owned utility plans to decommission the Wilsey Dam and Shuswap Falls Powerhouse between Lumby and Cherryville to allow salmon access to historical spawning habitat in the river.

“After extensive community involvement and our own studies, we have selected decommissioning the dam and powerhouse as the best way forward to restore the river to its original channel for spawning salmon,” said Jen Walker-Larsen, Community Engagement Advisor, BC Hydro.

The facility was built in 1929 and represents less than 0.1 per cent of BC Hydro’s total hydroelectric generating capacity. BC Hydro explored two options to restore fish passage in the area. The first option included refurbishing the aging facility and constructing a fishway channel. The second option was decommissioning the facility entirely.

(Image credit: BC Hydro)

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After considering the options and getting input from Indigenous groups and stakeholders, BC Hydro said the decommissioning option became the leading alternative.

“Decommissioning instead of refurbishing will return that portion of the river to its original channel,” explained Walker-Larsen. “We expect this will provide a higher chance of achieving successful fish passage as it will create river conditions similar to what existed before the dam was built.”

BC Hydro will continue planning for decommissioning and prepare an application to the BC Utilities Commission to get approval to cease operations at the facility. BC Hydro expects to complete both of those items within the next 12 to 18 months.