Catch a glimpse of the action

The Waneta Dam expansion project is drawing a crowd

1 of 6Tour participants gather for a photo on the recently completed berm below the Waneta Dam. — Colin Payne photo

2 of 6Josh Verigin (R) of Columbia Power and Paul Amaro of SNC-Lavalin share a moment. — Colin Payne photo

3 of 6Audrey Repin welcomes the crowd and introduces the speakers at the unveiling ceremony. — Colin Payne photo

4 of 6Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman admires the interpretive signage after unveiling it. — Colin Payne photo

5 of 6A candid photo op moment between Neil Muth, Jane Bird and John Walker. — Colin Payne photo

6 of 6L - R: Neil Muth (CEO, Columbia Basin Trust), BC Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman, Joe Pierre Junior (Ktunaxa Nation Council), Ali Grieve (RDKB Area A director), Alfred Hanna (SNC-Lavalin vice-president hydro power), Lee Doney (Columbia Power Corporation), Jane Bird (president and CEO, Columbia Power), John Walker (president and CEO, Fortis BC) Greg Deck, (vice-chair, board of directors Columbia Basin Trust). — Colin Payne photo

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On July 21, 2011, provincial officials, local government representatives and officials from the various corporations involved gathered at the Waneta Dam expansion construction site for the unveiling of a much-anticipated public viewing area.

The massive four-year, 335-megawatt, $900-million hydropower project has been drawing significant interest from the public—creating the need for a safe place where people could stop and view the progress of the project.

Situated above the confluence of the Pend d’Oreille and Columbia rivers, the viewing area features a platform with interpretive signage. It is a secure place for people to pull off the Waneta Highway to observe the project.

About 50 people attended the event, which included a short bus tour of the site and an unveiling ceremony for the viewing area.

BC Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman was on hand and did the honours of unveiling the interpretive signage. He was joined on the stage by representatives from the project's partners, including the Ktunaxa Nation, Columbia Power, Columbia Basin Trust, Fortis BC, contractor SNC Lavalin and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary.