Removals & Park Naturalization CITY OF NANAIMO - - PDF document

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

CITY OF NANAIMO

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Open House

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢

TIRLING AVE

HEWGATE ST C A R L I S L E S T

SIXTH ST I S L A E S I X T H S T WINCHESTER AVE S E V E N T H S T G E O R G I A A V E HAMILTON AVE STIRLING AVE S E V E N T H S T

H O W A R D A V E N O V A S T N I C O L S T VICTORIA RD P A R K A V E F I F T H S T

To Bowen Park Reception Centre To Bowen Park Reception Centre

Points of Interest

¢

Evacuation Routes

@ @

O

To Beban Park Reception Centre To Beban Park Reception Centre

@ @ @ @ @ John Barsby Secondary School Southgate Mall

Harewood

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Dam Removal...

Purposes of Open House

• 1. Dam Removal

Rationale

• 2. Emergency Planning

for Evacuation Area

• 3. What will the Park

look like after the dams are removed (Park Naturalization)

2

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Introduction...

The need to remove the Lower & Middle Colliery Dams

On Monday, October 29, Nanaimo City Council informed the community of their approval of an administrative recommendation to undertake the removal of the Lower and Middle Colliery Dams located in Colliery Dam Park along with the naturalization of the Chase River through the park. This decision was based on engineering assessments which concluded the dams have reached the end of their service life. The public is advised:

• Each dam is currently stable; however, should

the region experience a significant earthquake

• r extreme rainfall event, the dams may fail

resulting in a short notice evacuation of Harewood.

• The Province’s Dam Safety Branch regulations

accordingly require the City of Nanaimo to remedy this risk. Considered all options, including reinforcing or rebuilding the dams, removing each structure and re naturalizing the Chase River Valley were deemed the safest long-term solutions.

1

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Introduction...

Removing the dams Background on the dam structures

The City of Nanaimo’s Engineering and Public Works Department has initiated steps to remove the Lower and Middle Colliery Dams. The current target date to commence deconstruction is summer 2013. The steps are as follows:

• Drain the water
• Dam Removals
• Re naturalization & Planting

The Lower and Middle Colliery Dams were built by the mining industry in 1911 to provide a supply

• f water to wash coal. When coal mining ceased
• peration in Nanaimo, the dam lakes became

recreational amenities. These dams are over 100 years old and no longer meet safety standards and must be removed.

2

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Dam Removal...

Where are the Middle and Lower Colliery Dams located?

The Lower and Middle Colliery Dams, also known as the Chase River Dams, are located in Colliery Dam Park, adjacent to Nanaimo Lakes Road, south

• f Sixth Street and north of Seventh Street. The

Park is best accessed from the parking lot at Sixth and Wakesiah.

Why do we need to remove the dams?

The dams are at the end of their service life - they are one hundred years old. Recent studies have shown that they pose an unacceptable risk to the community living downstream during a significant earthquake or extreme rainfall event.

What are the future uses of Colliery Dam Park once the dams are removed?

Colliery Dam Park is currently used as a natural recreational area. This use is not anticipated to change in any way. The park is a well loved area and a jewel of south Nanaimo. With input from residents, the City will return the Chase River within the park to its natural state.

What is the current condition of the dams?

The dams are stable in their current state; however a disturbance due to a significant earthquake or extreme rainfall event could negatively affect them. As noted, the dams have reached the end of their service life; hence it’s prudent to remove them before they degrade.

Questions & Answers

3

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Dam Removal...

Questions & Answers

What measures are in place to alert the community should the dams show signs of breaching?

The City has implemented an Emergency Action Plan that would see the Emergency Command Centre activated in the event of a possible breach. The City will order an evacuation of the downstream area should the dams appear to be in imminent danger

• f failure. Also, public education using letters, maps, website, social media, question and

answers, open houses and school liaison are currently being carried out.

Is it still safe to use Colliery Dam Park?

Colliery Dam Park is still safe to use. As noted, the dams are stable in their current condition; in the event of a significant earthquake or extreme rainfall event, it would be prudent to stay clear of the Park.

In addition to the Lower and Middle Colliery dams, are there

• ther dam structures in or near Colliery Dam Park? If so, what

is the status of these structures?

A third dam – the Upper Colliery Dam – is in a secure state and poses no risk to the public. This structure will remain in place. Also, Water Reservoir #1 has been seismically upgraded to current standards and poses no risk to the public. Only the Lower and Middle Colliery dams must be removed.

Where do I get more information?

The City has prepared additional questions and answers on its website. Topics include: dam safety, emergency preparedness, the environment, legal and administrative matters, community concerns, costs, public involvement and decision making. To review these questions and answer, as well as other information, please visit - www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

4

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Dam Removal...

Colliery Dam Removal Process

Due to an unacceptable risk, The City of Nanaimo is implementing each of the following. The Dam Safety Regulation Places Responsibility on Dam Owner. City of Nanaimo evaluated ability of dams to withstand major events. (Seismic and weather) Study results found that the dams are at the end of their life & pose an unacceptable risk to public safety. Removing The Risk by “Removing The Dams” “Naturalizing the Chase River” “River & Channel Improvements” “Habitat Enhancement” “Parks Improvements” Temporary Emergency Planning “Prepare for an unlikely seismic

• r weather related event”

“Evacuation Routes” “Alert Planning”

5

f

DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE

LOOP 2 DISTANCE 810 METRES CANYON BRIDGE STAIRS BOARDWALK TRAIL TO CANYON BEACH AREA TRAIL TO UPPER DAM FALLS SPILL WAY KIOSK WASHROOM BRIDGE ROCKWALL LOOP 1 DISTANCE 1153 METRES NEW RESERVOIR #1 NEW ENERGY RECOVER FACILITY PARKWAY TRAIL CONTINUES SOUTH PARKWAY TRAIL CONTINUES NORTH

MAIN PARK PARKING & ENTRANCE

3 q

TRANS CANADA TRAIL UPPER COLLIERY DAM NUMBER ONE RESERVIOR & DAM LOWER COLLIERY DAM MIDDLE COLLIERY DAM

CITY OWNED LAND FOR DISCUSSION CITY OWNED LAND FOR DISCUSSION MORRELL NATURE SANCTUARY

DOGWOOD PARK THE LINE THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE LAKES SHOWS THE APPROXIMATE CENTER LINE OF THE ORIGINAL CHASE RIVER. (PRE - 1910)

V.I.U.

PARK OPERATIONS FISH HATCHERY

COLLIERY DAM PARK

q q Tv = = Tv

TRAILS

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Maps...

Existing Conditions

6

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Maps...

Evacuation Area

" ) " )

D O U G L A S A V E HECATE ST CHASE RIVER RD HALIBURTON ST F I F T H S T FRANKLYN ST SIXTH ST G E O R G I A A V E FITZWILLIAM ST S E V E N T H S T B R U C E A V E N I N T H S T ALBERT ST S T I R L I N G A V E H O W A R D A V E H O W A R D A V E B R U C E A V E I S L A N D H I G H W A Y S O U T H NANAIMO LAKES RD HAREWOOD RD VICTORIA RD I S L A N D H I G H W A Y S O U T H T E N T H S T EIGHTH ST P A R K A V E FOURTH ST W A K E S I A H A V E OLD VICTORIA RD N I C O L S T THIRD ST HAREWOOD MINES RD N A N A I M O P A R K W A Y

Middle Colliery Middle Colliery Dam Dam " )

Dam Location Evacuation Area Key Markings

Harewood

500 Meters

O

Lower Colliery Lower Colliery Dam Dam 7

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Maps...

Emergency Planning

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢

STIRLING AVE

M C K E N Z I E R D D O U G L A S A V E T E N T H S T A E B I G R D HEWGATE ST C A R L I S L E S T

HALIBURTON ST CHASE RIVER RD M U R R A Y S T DEERING ST D O U G L A S A V E SIXTH ST I S L A N D H I G H W A Y S O U T H GEORGIA AVE S I X T H S T PARK AVE WINCHESTER AVE S E V E N T H S T N I N T H S T G E O R G I A A V E HAMILTON AVE STIRLING AVE S E V E N T H S T

H O W A R D A V E N O V A S T I S L A N D H I G H W A Y S O U T H O L D V I C T O R I A R D NINTH ST H O W A R D A V E B R U C E A V E N I C O L S T VICTORIA RD T E N T H S T EIGHTH ST P A R K A V E N A N A I M O P A R K W A Y F I F T H S T NANAIMO PARKWAY

To Bowen Park Reception Centre To Bowen Park Reception Centre

Points of Interest Beban Reception Centre Bowen Reception Centre

¢

Pedestrian Marshalling Area Evacuation Routes

@ To Beban Reception Centre @ To Bowen Reception Centre

Evacuation Area

500 Meters

O

To Beban Park Reception Centre To Beban Park Reception Centre

@ @

Beban Park Reception Centre

@ @ @

Bowen Park Reception Centre

John Barsby Secondary School Southgate Mall

(High Ground) Evacuation Routes

Harewood

8

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Emergency Planning...

Sign up for the City of Nanaimo Emergency Alert System

In the event of emergency...

In the event of emergency, the Emergency Alert System will be used to alert citizens as soon as possible, and provides a short message to your home or cell phone, or e-mail address that you specify. It was tested during a Boil Water Advisory a few years ago, and worked well in letting people know the Advisory was in place, as well as when the Advisory was lifted.

New technology delivers the message to you by phone...

The City of Nanaimo set up a voice broadcast system using new telephone technology capable of making thousands of telephone calls, or e-mails in a very short time period. This system uses a simple list of telephone numbers or e-mails to send a message stating what the alert is about, and what people should do about it. Now it’s up to everyone in Nanaimo to make sure they are on the list.

Sign up on-line, or by telephone...

This is a secure database and the information collected will only be used for emergency

• notification. We urge you to go to the City’s website and fill in our easy on-line form - it only

takes a minute. If you don’t have a computer with Internet service, or require assistance, you can call the number below and staff will be happy to assist you to sign up. Think of this as an important part of your emergency preparedness program. We need you to sign up to make this new service work. Please sign up online at www.nanaimo.ca (click on the “PHONE ALERT” icon on the front page)

• r call 758-1311 Monday to Friday 8am to 4:30pm

9

Today the Park is:

• 68 acres.
• Trail network is almost 2km.
• Trail is connected into the Parkway and Trans Canada

multi-purpose trails.

• Dog off leash park in the upper loop opened in 2010.
• Trail Counter statistics 2006-2008 suggest a daily

average of about 188 visitors.

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Naturalization of the Chase River...

• Dammed in 1910 to provide water and power to Coal mining operations in Harewood.
• The City of Nanaimo assumed park ownership in 1975 through amalgamation.
• Colliery Dam Park was dedicated as park by public referendum in 1980.
• Park is zoned PRC-1 / Natural Park which conserves natural parks in the city and allows

uses such as nature enjoyment, walking, hiking, cycling and dog walking.

Historically the Park was:

10

f

DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE

LOOP 2 DISTANCE 810 METRES CANYON BRIDGE STAIRS BOARDWALK TRAIL TO CANYON BEACH AREA TRAIL TO UPPER DAM FALLS SPILL WAY KIOSK WASHROOM BRIDGE ROCKWALL LOOP 1 DISTANCE 1153 METRES NEW RESERVOIR #1 NEW ENERGY RECOVER FACILITY PARKWAY TRAIL CONTINUES SOUTH PARKWAY TRAIL CONTINUES NORTH

MAIN PARK PARKING & ENTRANCE

3 q

TRANS CANADA TRAIL UPPER COLLIERY DAM NUMBER ONE RESERVIOR & DAM LOWER COLLIERY DAM MIDDLE COLLIERY DAM

CITY OWNED LAND FOR DISCUSSION CITY OWNED LAND FOR DISCUSSION MORRELL NATURE SANCTUARY

DOGWOOD PARK THE LINE THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE LAKES SHOWS THE APPROXIMATE CENTER LINE OF THE ORIGINAL CHASE RIVER. (PRE - 1910)

V.I.U.

PARK OPERATIONS FISH HATCHERY

COLLIERY DAM PARK

q q Tv = = Tv

TRAILS

To remove and naturalize the Middle and Lower Colliery Dams to:

• Increase public safety downstream
• f the structures
• Naturalize the river and improve it's

ecological state.

• Maintain recreation in the park and

consider expanded and improved park lands.

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Naturalization of the Chase River...

Project Goals

11

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Process of Naturalization of the Chase River...

Bowen Park Success Story

• The Millstone Side Channel and trail system in Bowen Park was constructed in 2008 and

has regenerated as a public recreational and ecological amenity.

• The Goal is to create a similar atmosphere at Colliery Dam Park.

12

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Process of Removal & Naturalization...

What is your favourite...

• Place in Colliery Dam Park?
• Thing to do in Colliery Dam Park?

What would you most like to achieve

• Through Park Naturalization?
• Please give us

your feed back.

13

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Process of Removal & Naturalization...

Drain Lakes...

• Drawing a reservoir down is the

first step in dam deconstruction.

• This picture of a dam in Mill Bay being

drawn-down.

• This dam was smaller than Colliery

Dams with dam height of 5-8m.

Remove Dams... Followed by Naturalization Planting...

• Illustrative comparison of the existing reservoir with a reclaimed river channel at a

decommissioned dam in Gold River. The Heber Dam in Gold River is a comparable project to Colliery Removals. Similar project footprint and equipment required. Decommissioned Heber Dam near Gold River, BC Middle Dam - Colliery Dam Park

14

Immediately After Removal

Decommissioned Heber Dam near Gold River Lower Chase Lake Decommissioned Coursier Dam near Revelstoke

1 Year Later

Decommissioned dam

• n Southern Vancouver

Island . Smaller than Colliery Dams with dam height of 8-12 m. Decommissioned dam on Southern Vancouver Island . Smaller than Colliery Dams with dam height of 5-8m. Decommissioned dam on Southern Vancouver Island (smaller than Colliery Dams)

5 to 10 years Later

Chase River about halfway between the lower dam and Howard Avenue.

Mature Regeneration

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Process of Naturalization of the Chase River...

Naturalization Time Line...

15

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Process of Naturalization of the Chase River...

Examples of Planting and Naturalization projects in Nanaimo...

Before or during construction... Completed...

McGregor Park Maffeo Sutton Park Third Street Trail Bowen Side Channel



   

16

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Other Park Improvements...

Potential for Salmon Habitat to be enhanced

• Chase River about halfway between the

lower dam and Howard Avenue.

17

• The current trail system in Colliery Dam Park would be maintained and linked to new

trails developed alongside the new river channel.

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Naturalization of the Chase River...

Trails

18

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Other Park Improvements...

Current Bridge

Bridge Options

• New bridges will be

constructed to link new and old trail networks.



Barclay Crescent Millennium Bridge

• ver French Creek - 28m span

New bridges will be constructed to link new and

• ld trail networks

Regional District of Nanaimo’s Top Bridge Regional Trail (tower suspension 89m span) crossing

• ver the Englishman River

19

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Park Legacy...

Naturalization Achieved

• Today, Chase River,

upstream of Middle Chase Lake and downstream of Highway 19, showing current natural setting

• f the river channel.

This can be achieved through this process and Chase River Naturalization in Colliery Dam Park.

20

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Naturalization of the Chase River...

Park Improvement Process

Project Initiation

• Council Resolution that the Colliery Dams will be removed and park naturalization will proceed (October, 29th 2012)
• Information releases and open Houses introducing public to the project and process (November 2012)

Review Existing Conditions and Develop Communications (January - March 2013)

• Base survey collection
• Environmental & archaeological assessments of Colliery Dam Park and adjacent City owned land
• Use a portion of the City website as a communications forum for planning documents and surveys. In addition, use

radio, face book, twitter, newspaper, and site signs for communication about the process.

Schematic Plan Preparation (March - June 2013)

• Develop schematic designs for dam removals and park naturalization
• Review naturalization options with City staff and park stakeholders
• Review naturalization options with the public at open houses
• Present naturalization options and input to Parks Recreational and Culture Commission and then City Council for review

and consideration.

Detailed Design Development

• Integrate input and feedback into designs
• Develop detailed naturalization plan and improvement plans for the park
• Review naturalization plan and park improvement plans with staff and park stakeholders
• Review naturalization plan and park improvement plans with the public at open houses
• Integrate public input into draft plan

Draft Plan Review and Adoption

• Present final naturalization plan and park improvement plans and input to Parks Recreation and Culture Commission

and Council for review and Consideration.

Project tendering and Implementation

• Implement naturalization and park improvement plans in conjunction with dam removal works.

Monitoring

• Monitor the viability of planted materials and the project success over time to ensure ecological function and aesthetics.

21

CITY OF NANAIMO

www.nanaimo.ca/goto/dams

Colliery Dam Removals & Park Naturalization

Naturalization of the Chase River...

Trail Counter Location 2005 Daily Average of trail users 2006 Daily Average of trail users 2007 Daily Average of trail users 2008 Daily Average of trail users

Colliery Dam (Lower) 370 (May 1-15th) 345 (June) 229 (July) 183 (August) 166 (September) 159 (October) 106 (November) 90 (December) 94 (January) 112 (February) 153 (March) 176 (April) 201 (May) (147 (June) 161 (July) 197 (August) 177 (September) 180 (October) 105 (November) 124 (December) 133 (January) 163 (February) 175 (March) 165 (April) 235 (May) 306 (June) 275 (July) 285 (August) 227 (September) Colliery Dam (Upper) 191 (April) 202 (May) 197 (June) 166 (July) 184 (August)

Trail Use Statistics

22