The navigation lock at the Hugh L. Keenleyside Dam on Lower Arrow Lake will be closed from Sept. 15 through Sept. 28 while BC Hydro conducts necessary maintenance.
In addition, the lock's viewing area is closed until further notice due to damage to the access gate. It is expected to reopen once repairs are complete and the gate is operational.
This fall, BC Hydro will also be performing additional work to recover two pontoons from the floating guidewall at the dam that sunk to the bottom of the reservoir during an extreme weather event in 2020.
BC Hydro says the work is necessary to restore the full functionality of the floating guidewall, which allows marine traffic to safely approach and access the navigation lock from the Arrow Lakes Reservoir side of the facility.
The work is scheduled to begin on Sept. 23 and is expected to be completed by early December.
Once the pontoons have been recovered, they will be temporarily stored in the headpond above the dam until the summer of 2025.
BC Hydro says the recovered pontoons will be marked with signage and navigation lights to ensure that they are visible in accordance with Transport Canada requirements.
During the pontoon recovery work, the navigation lock at the dam will remain open for the majority of the time. However, several short-term closures will be necessary.
BC Hydro asks that boaters exercise caution while approaching the lock on the Arrow Lakes Reservoir side during this time as there will be divers in the water.
