Peace Project Water Use Plan - BC Hydro

Peace Project Water Use Plan
Annual Report: 2010
Halfway River West Bank Site
The Halfway River West Bank site is located directly across from the existing site.
Access from Highway 29 is available along a good-quality gravel road, a distance of
approximately 270 metres.
With the exception of this road, and the remains of the approach to the old Highway
29 bridge, this site is essentially undeveloped.
Based on the online cadastral map obtained from the BC Ministry of Agriculture and
Lands web site, the area south of Highway 29 is designated Crown Lands.
The shoreline at and immediately south of the bridge is a steep, riprap-protected
bank.
Moving further south, a low, soft bluff is present. Starting approximately 50 m south
of the bridge, a flat sandy beach is present; this beach was not visible during the
initial site visit because of the high water level). The area near the sandy beach is not
suitable for a boat launch ramp, since the water remains shallow for a long distance
from shore, and the physical works required to overcome this would affect the
valuable shoreline habitat downstream.
However, a new launch ramp could be constructed at the southern boundary of the
riprap. This ramp would be similar to the existing ramp, except that it would be
aligned more directly into the flow of the river.
In contrast to the existing site, there is no readily accessible beach and picnic area.
The sandy beach is relatively low and accessed over a low bluff (typically 1.5 to 2
metres high).
Advantages of the site are:
� Easy access from Highway 29;
� The existing access road is in good condition;
� There is a large area available for parking and other upland development; and,
� The site is protected from winds by the topography.
Disadvantages of the site are:
� Dredging would be necessary to provide sufficient water depth for year-round
launch, would be more extensive than at the existing site, and could be
difficult to maintain;
� Halfway River is often blocked by ice during the winter; and,
� Picnic or other public areas would not provide easy access to the water without
additional physical works, and a wide beach area is not available.
If it is desired to develop this site, it would be necessary to carefully examine the
potential for adverse effects on the downstream habitat. It may also be necessary to
provide additional shore protection armouring, or to set the parking and turnaround
areas back from the river to provide stable bank.
Peace River Site near Confluence with Halfway River
The Peace River site is located approximately 1 km upstream of the confluence with
Halfway River. Access to the Peace River site is along an unimproved, single-lane
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