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Filling the reservoir

One of the last steps in building the Site C dam is to fill the reservoir. Reservoir filling will take about four months, widening the Peace River by an average of two to three times.

Boating and future reservoir access

The existing boat launch at Halfway River was permanently closed on Aug. 12, 2024. The D.A. Thomas and Lynx Creek boat launches are also closed.

Site C reservoir filling began on August 25, 2024. Boaters will not have access to the Peace River between Fort St. John and Hudson's Hope during filling and for at least one year afterwards, as we monitor for slope stability and erosion.

Find answers to common questions about boating on the Peace River
 

New boat launches are being built

Three new boat launch and recreation areas are being built along the Site C reservoir. However, the new boat launches will not open until at least spring 2026 to allow time for slope stability and erosion monitoring. Learn more about reservoir filling.
 

D.A. Thomas recreation area

As part of our community investment program in Hudson's Hope, BC Hydro is developing a recreation site featuring a new small craft boat launch at the bottom of D.A. Thomas Road.

DA Thomas recreation area rendering
The layout of the future D.A. Thomas recreation area

The boat launch will consist of a gangway and floating dock. This allows car topper-type boats, such as kayaks and canoes, to be launched. 

There is currently no public access to the D.A. Thomas boat launch. It will remain closed until at least one year after reservoir filling is complete.
 

Lynx Creek boat launch

The existing Lynx Creek boat launch is closed and will be replaced by a site east of its current location.

Lynx Creek boat launch rendering
An artist rendering of the future Lynx Creek boat launch

The new boat launch will include:

  • Safe road access and pull-through parking for vehicles with trailers
  • Double-wide concrete boat ramp with a 10-15% grade
  • Turnaround area for trailered, motorized boats longer than five metres 
  • Day use area with picnic site, interpretive kiosk and pit toilet

     

Halfway River boat launch

The existing Halfway River boat launch is permanently closed.

It will will be replaced by a new boat launch east of its current location. The new site will open at least one year after reservoir filling is complete.

Halfway River boat launch rendering
An artist rendering of the future Halfway River boat launch

The new boat launch will include:

  • Safe road access and pull-through parking for vehicles with trailers
  • Double-wide concrete boat ramp with a 10-15% grade
  • Turnaround area for trailered, motorized boats longer than five metres 
  • Day use area with picnic site, interpretive kiosk, and pit toilet
     

Boating FAQ

During Site C reservoir filling and for at least one year afterwards, there will be hazards as the surrounding land stabilizes.

We will monitor for slope stability and erosion, and BC Hydro's boat launches will be opened when the reservoir is deemed safe for public access and boating.

Hazards on the water

Strong currents: Closer to the dam, there will be strong currents near the approach channel as water is drawn into the underwater intakes of the powerhouse. The approach channel debris boom will prevent boaters from getting too close to the dam. Boaters should not travel further downstream than the Halfway River boat launch to avoid strong currents, as posted on the boater warning signs. There are no other access points between Halfway River and the dam.

Submerged hazards: During reservoir filling, submerged hazards could be dangerous for boaters as water levels rise. These include causeways, boulders, riprap, and concrete or steel structures. Once the reservoir reaches its full depth these objects will be fully submerged and no longer present a hazard. After reservoir filling, other submerged hazards remain along the shoreline, such as shallow water fish habitat which takes the form of logs and boulder piles.

Waves: There may be waves on the reservoir caused by wind or slope instabilities, as sections of shoreline settle into the reservoir during the filling process. The resulting waves could run up against the opposite shore. Hazards will be greatest during high flows and extreme weather.

Floating woody debris: During reservoir filling, woody debris will float to the surface. The debris includes logs, saplings, bushes, and plants. It may also include vegetation that could not be safely removed during clearing. Over time, the debris will float downstream, to be caught and removed by a debris boom.

Hazards on land

Hazards on land will be most common during reservoir filling and the following year, while the land and shoreline stabilizes. This is why all public recreation areas are closed during this time, and we ask you to use extreme caution when close to shore, particularly when near steep slopes.

There will be erosion and slope instability, with impacts varying in different locations. Steep embankments and slopes are particularly prone to sudden slides, which may trigger waves on the reservoir. After the reservoir is filled, erosion will speed up in some areas, and new slides may occur.

Erosion is more likely to occur after high wind and rainstorms. Please use caution when near the reservoir, look for signs of active erosion and slope movements, and maintain a safe distance from these areas.

Learn more: Site C reservoir safety factsheet PDF 376 KB

The existing boat launch at Halfway River was permanently closed on Aug. 12, 2024. The D.A. Thomas and Lynx Creek boat launches are also closed.

Boaters can access the boat launch at Peace Island Park in Taylor, downstream of the Site C dam.

We strongly advise you to stay off the water and away from the reservoir shoreline until it is deemed safe.

The boat launches in the Dinosaur Reservoir, upstream of the Peace Canyon dam near Hudson's Hope, are open and not affected by reservoir filling.

The Peace Island Park boat launch, located downstream of Site C in Taylor, also remains open.

Fishing along the shore or by boat in the Site C reservoir area is strongly discouraged during reservoir filling. People can instead visit:

  • Peace Island Park, located downstream of Site C in Taylor
  • Dinosaur Reservoir, upstream of the Peace Canyon dam near Hudson's Hope

The public should not access the reservoir from any access points during filling and for at least one year after, until the reservoir is deemed safe for public use.

Please call 911 if you see someone in danger on the reservoir. Emergency responders will coordinate with BC Hydro, if needed, in their emergency response.

At Halfway River, there is a lookout point overlooking the Peace River. This will remain open during reservoir filling and provides a south and west-facing view of the reservoir area.

We're also building new boat launches and recreation areas, which will open when the reservoir is deemed safe for public use, at least one year after the reservoir is filled.

The new Halfway River and Lynx Creek boat launches will include day use areas with picnic sites. At the bottom of D.A. Thomas Road in Hudson's Hope, a new recreation site will feature a small craft launch, picnic tables, and fire rings.

More information

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