New freedom of information (FOI) documents obtained by the Wilderness Committee from the BC government reveal environmental transgressions at a river diversion project in the Kootenays. 

The confidential government documents about the Akolkolex (pronounced: Ah ko ko’ lex) power project show there were serious problems with inadequate water flows which resulted in the river below the intake diversion drying out for three days in 2005.  The FOI documents outlined water problems that continued until 2006. According to the documents, the Akolkolex River “is a fish sensitive habitat with at least three different types of trout.”

“Fresh on the heels of government documents revealing serious environmental incidents at the Ashlu and Mamquam private power projects, we have more documentation that shows another project negatively impacting fish and fish habitat,” said Gwen Barlee, Policy Director with the Wilderness Committee.  “Here we have water problems so serious they actually resulted in a dried out river. When it comes to deciding if water should go to fish or power production at these projects, it’s obvious that fish are losing out.” 

The Akolkolex FOI showed:

• “There is a dried out stream below Akolkolex Power Plant in Revelstoke . . . the last time he saw it with water was three days ago. This is fish sensitive habitat with at least three different types of trout.”
• “ CHDI (Canadian Hydro Developers Inc.) is not yet meeting conditions of the license wrt fish flows. ”
• “There is some minimal flow in the river but it appears to simply be what is escaping around the damming structures. Nothing is being deliberately released.”
• “Investigated – referred to LWBC (Land Water BC) with recommendation for charges.”
• “These two breaches of their license have not only directly profited the company (every cubic metre / sec of water not diverted generates additional watts of electricity which the company sells), but has also impacted the downstream environment . . .”
• “Taking into account all the above. I firmly believe charges under section 93 (2) (l) &/or (r) of the Water Act are warranted in this case and I would be happy to assist your branch in any way I can towards that objective.”

The Akolkolex River private power project is located approximately 25 km southeast of Revelstoke, BC.  TransAlta, a large Alberta based power corporation, owns and operates the Akolkolex facility. The 10 MW project began commercial operation in 1995 and has a 20 year contract with BC Hydro. The project was originally owned by Canadian Hydro Developers but was purchased by TransAlta in 2009.

“We need the BC government to come clean on what they know about repeated and ongoing environmental transgressions at these projects,” said Barlee. “Why weren’t charges laid when these companies violated their water licenses or broke the law?”