McElhanney was presented with the 2018 Water Management Award of Excellence by the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) for our river diversion engineering work during the Salmon River Dam Decommissioning project.
The Salmon River Dam, on Vancouver Island, was removed during the summer of 2017 and the site was re-naturalized. McElhanney provided design and engineering services for two temporary river bypass channels built around the de-construction site so aging creosote timber dam could be safely and quickly dismantled “in the dry.”
The decommissioning involved many agencies, community stakeholders, regulators, contractors, engineers, and environmental monitors who had to work closely together under a very tight “reduced risk work window.” McElhanney’s cofferdams and bypasses held fast and dry during the project duration. Our design proved robust and adaptable to site and contractor needs. The project is a shining example of what can be achieved to protect Canada’s water resources when there is thoughtful planning and commitment by the community.
The award was presented during the CWRA National Conference in Victoria, BC on May 30.
