As temperatures start to drop, we’re working hard to complete maintenance on our Whitehorse Rapids Generation Station before water starts to freeze.
In the next week, we need to remove the structure that prevents fish swimming upstream from entering our Whitehorse #4 hydro unit. This piece of equipment is put in place every spring and removed in the fall. Taking it out before water starts to freeze is critical to preventing the build-up of ice on the structure and major damage to the hydro unit itself.
To do this work safely, we need to reduce the flow of water passing through our hydro units to remove pressure on the structure. Given how wet it was in September, water levels in the Southern Lakes are higher than typical for this time of year and water is flowing fast.
This work will be done within the terms of our water licence and with safety and the environment top of mind.
We’ve already started to draw more water out of Marsh Lake by opening the gates at the Lewes River Control Structure and lowering Schwatka Lake. Next, when Marsh Lake levels have dropped low enough, we’ll gradually reduce the flow of water downstream of the dam to complete the maintenance. Once the work is done, we’ll gradually increase flows again to the levels needed to maximize the amount of renewable electricity we can generate this winter.
All this to say, there will be some noticeable water level changes to Marsh Lake, Schwatka Lake and the Yukon River downstream of our Whitehorse facility over the next week. Know that this is critical planned work and that safety and the environment are being kept top of mind.
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