Site C reservoir filling continues; water levels rise by 20 metres

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — BC Hydro has reported the filling process at the Site C reservoir is underway.

The first diversion tunnel was closed on August 28th, and the second closed on September 4th. 

The water levels are expected to rise at a gradual pace over a period of weeks. 

BC Hydro says the water level has risen by 20 metres since the filling began.

The reservoir filling, which began a few weeks ahead of schedule, is one of the last steps in the project.

According to BC Hydro’s website, filling the reservoir lets the generating station become operational. 

“Over a period of up to four months, water will rise by up to three metres per day, creating permanent changes to the shoreline,” said the BC Hydro website. 

The Site C reservoir will be 83 kilometres long, cover about 5,550 hectares of land, and have a total surface area of approximately 9,330 hectares.

BC Hydro says, “It will take about two to four months to fill the Site C reservoir, with water levels rising between 30 centimetres and three metres a day.” 

A total of 2,993 workers were employed at the Site C facility in July.

More information on the Site C reservoir can be found on its website.