Site C Clean Energy Project

The Site C Clean Energy Project will be the third dam and hydroelectric-generating station on the Peace River in northeast British Columbia. The final earthfill dam design will create an 83 km long reservoir with an average width of two to three times that of the current river.​

BC Hydro retained BGC to undertake a detailed geotechnical assessment to characterize the potential for groundwater changes, flooding, shoreline erosion, slope instability, and landslide-generated waves resulting from the impoundment and operation of the proposed reservoir. The assessment consisted of an extensive site investigation program that included boat-supported field mapping of the entire shoreline and helicopter-supported drilling at several remote sites. Throughout the course of the work, BGC worked closely with the project’s engineering, properties, and environmental teams, including participation in public meetings and one-on-one meetings with stakeholders.​

The results of this assessment were used to generate preliminary reservoir impact lines that delineate areas of potential hazard. The reservoir impact lines were linked to recommendations for site-specific analysis, land use and monitoring, and were used to support the environmental assessment and the management of potential risks to public safety and infrastructure.​

BGC is currently undertaking shoreline and slope stability monitoring for the entire project area using a combination of remote sensing (lidar, InSAR, photogrammetry), instrumentation, and ground-based methods, with the long-term goal of updating the preliminary impact lines following reservoir filling. The monitoring results are delivered through Cambio and combined with Trigger Action Response Plans to help BC Hydro manage these landslide hazards.