Site C to start filling reservoir in August

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — BC Hydro has reported that the Site C reservoir will begin to be filled this month as the facility nears completion. 

Once ready, the diversion tunnels will be closed, and the water reservoir will be filled at a rate of 0.3 to three metres a day and will take up to four months to fill. 

The tunnels have been diverting the water flow of the Peace River since the fall of 2020 to allow for the earthfill dam construction.

The reservoir, once filled, will cover 5,550 hectares of land and will be, on average, two to three times as wide as the current Peace River. It’ll also cause the mouths of Moberly River, Halfway River and Cache Creek to widen.

The reservoir is expected to reach a depth of 52 metres close to the dam, 36 metres near Halfway River, and 18 metres near Hudson’s Hope.

The Site C powerhouse is working to have six generating units producing 1,100 megawatts.

Each unit will go through a 1-2 month commissioning phase before it’s brought online and supplying electricity to the grid.

Greg Alexis, Manager of Public Affairs for Site C, says all six generating units will be operational by fall 2025. 

Site C construction began in July 2015 and was originally supposed to be operational in 2024, but it was delayed due to COVID-19. 

The site will generate 5,100 gigawatt hours of electricity each year, which can power 450,000 homes or 1.7 million electric vehicles in the province. 

When the site becomes operational, the Peace River system will generate 40 per cent of BC Hydro’s power. 

BC Hydro says boat launches will be closed during the filling and for at least one year after until the reservoir is deemed safe.

Site C will provide more updates through the month.

More information on the Site C reservoir can be found on BCHydro’s website.