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Rice Lake Dams Maintenance Program

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Rice Lake Dams Maintenance ProgramRice Lake Dams Maintenance Program<div class="ExternalClassDC5D2C237BFB46C286F774DAB24BBD04"><p>Rice Lake, located in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, has two dams that Metro Vancouver has owned and operated since 1983. As owners of these dams, Metro Vancouver follows provincial regulations for inspection and maintenance to keep them in good working order. Rice Lake is located on the territory of Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). Metro Vancouver recognizes the strong cultural connection that Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh Úxwumixw and səlilwətaɬ have to this area, and is committed to working together with the Nations to look for opportunities to incorporate their knowledge and perspectives into project planning.​</p><p>Metro Vancouver is currently undertaking a dam maintenance program at Rice Lake. In support of this, a site investigation was completed in October 2022, and an assessment of the dams was completed in early 2023. As part of the identified dam maintenance work, in February of this year, 169 trees were removed from within five metres of the perimeters of the dams. Upcoming maintenance work to remove tree stumps as well as future upgrades, is scheduled as per the current project timeline.​<br></p></div>North VancouverProgram

 

 

 

 

Rice Lake Dams Assessment Locationhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/ConstructionImages/_t/rice-lake-dams-assessment-location_jpg.jpgRice Lake Dams Assessment Location

 

 

Engagement (complete)Engagement (complete)<div class="ExternalClassA8C4A3C9DAC14577AAE85795C9874DD9"><p>Metro Vancouver conducted an online engagement survey for the Rice Lake Dams Maintenance Program Concept Designs from July 7 to September 7, 2022. During the online engagement period, 1,051 survey participants submitted 9,267 responses and comments.</p><p>Some of the key themes in the comments included:</p><ul><li>The desire to keep things looking as natural as possible</li><li>Finding ways to incorporate Indigenous history and culture</li><li>Ensuring the design is accessible for all members of the community</li></ul><p> <img src="/services/water/PublishingImages/ricelakes-engagement-summary-infographic.jpg" alt="" /> </p><p>For a full review of what we heard and how we’re responding, read the public engagement summary report.</p><p> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i><a href="/services/water/Documents/rice-lake-dams-maintenance-program-concept-designs-public-engagement-summary.pdf" target="_blank">Rice Lake Dams Maintenance Program Concept Designs - Public Engagement Summary</a></p>​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><br></div>
What we’re doingWhat we’re doing<div class="ExternalClassD7F4366F1FDA45B682D537094DADA103"><p>We’ve refined our concept designs to incorporate input from the public, while considering operational needs for dam safety, including:</p><ul><li>Providing new seating areas around Rice Lake</li><li>Enhancing the natural habitat and creating visual interest while complementing the area’s natural surroundings</li><li>Providing safe walking trail access to the lake</li><li>Ensuring cost effectiveness<br></li><li>Educating the public on the drinking water infrastructure in the area</li></ul><p> <img alt="South Lake Dam Concept Image" src="/services/water/PublishingImages/rld-maintenance-program-south-dam-rendering.jpg" /> </p><p> <em>South Lake Dam Concept Image</em></p><p> <img alt="North Lake Dam Concept Image" src="/services/water/PublishingImages/rld-maintenance-program-north-dam-rendering.jpg" /> </p><p> <em>North Lake Dam Concept Image</em></p><p>For a full review of what we heard and how we’re responding, read the public engagement summary report.</p><p> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i> <a href="/services/water/Documents/rice-lake-dams-maintenance-program-concept-designs-public-engagement-summary.pdf" target="_blank">Rice Lake Dams Maintenance Program Concept Designs - Public Engagement Summary</a></p>​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><br></div>
Tree and vegetation removalTree and vegetation removal<div class="ExternalClass9403234923A4486F875DFDB0166A481B"><p>In February 2023, crews cleared 169 trees from within five metres of the perimeters of the dams as part of the dam maintenance program. Upcoming maintenance work to remove tree stumps as well as future upgrades, is scheduled for Fall 2023, Fall 2024, and 2025-2026.​<br></p>​​<br></div>
Working with local First NationsWorking with local First Nations<div class="ExternalClass59E8DF19DA2B44A88B4B96C46AA86F3C"><p>Squamish Nation and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations have expressed interest in using the trees for cultural and community purposes. Metro Vancouver is committed to working together with First Nations to look for opportunities to incorporate their knowledge and perspectives into project planning.</p>​<br></div>
History of the Rice Lake DamsHistory of the Rice Lake Dams<div class="ExternalClassABA2893593834EBC8AD02A45A3EBB1CC"><p>Rice Lake is a popular recreational spot with beautiful walking trails that connect visitors with other trail networks of interest within the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.</p><p>Rice Lake has a rich history, including a drinking water source for North Vancouver, as a logging operations site in the early 1900s, and as the recreational area it is today. While a natural lake has always been there, the current dams at Rice Lake were not constructed until the late 1950s.</p><p>The original, smaller Rice Lake was located roughly where it sits today. An original dam was constructed at the south end of Rice Lake in the early 1900s and used to support logging operations. In the summers between 1906 and 1912, loggers from the Hastings Shingle Manufacturing Company used Rice Lake to stockpile cedar logs from surrounding forestry operations. In the fall, the dam was used to raise the lake level nearly three metres to float the logs from the lake into a flume line that transported them to Moodyville on Burrard Inlet where they were processed as cedar shingles.</p><p>Between 1913 and 1928 an improved concrete and timber dam and tunnel were constructed providing interconnection with the City of North Vancouver water supply system, continuing to advance water infrastructure. The work was temporarily postponed due to the outbreak of World War 1, resulting in the 15-year construction timeline.</p><p>Rice Lake was drained in the late 1940s to facilitate construction of a new water main from the Seymour reservoir, which still runs directly underneath Rice Lake today. In the late 1950s, the current earth embankment dams were constructed at the north and south ends of Rice Lake above the new water main. Rice Lake was refilled and was once again used by the City of North Vancouver as a backup reservoir for Lynn Valley’s drinking water supply.</p><p>Flooding from heavy rains in 1981 destroyed water intakes located on Lynn Creek, reducing the recharge rate for Rice Lake. Shortly after this, the City of North Vancouver elected to end the use of Rice Lake as a supplemental water supply reservoir.</p><p>Ownership of Rice Lake was transferred to the Greater Vancouver Water District in 1983. Metro Vancouver still maintains the lake for recreation, public education, and natural habitat preservation.</p>​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><br></div>

 

 

History of Rice Lake and Lower Seymour Conservation ReserveHistory of Rice Lake and Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve720458967

 

 

September 2022​September 2022​<div class="ExternalClassAFCA5A9896C74E608ADA634AF1EBE448">Geotechnical Site Investigation</div>0
February 2023February 2023<div class="ExternalClass122FB49B5D48441E9557BF1B7EE89701">Tree Removal</div>0
Early 2023Early 2023<div class="ExternalClass3EA611BF7F25421C81B0E140A8477AD1">Public Engagement - Report Out on Feedback & Enhancement Updates</div>0
Summer 2023Summer 2023<div class="ExternalClassCAF0B302D80F4782B2F8FF330EF6A910">Dam Restoration and Enhancement Work Update</div>0
Fall 2023Fall 2023<div class="ExternalClassF8CD521A2DFC45168CD2FEF3ACF2579D">Subsurface Investigations and Trial Crest Tree Root Wad Removal​<br></div>0
Fall 2024Fall 2024<div class="ExternalClass6BBEE25E29FD4437973730CF646E2A23">Crest and Downstream Face Tree Root Wad Removal​<br>​<br></div>1
2025-20262025-2026<div class="ExternalClass80DEA9718D804462AC68164024249AEB">Dam Beautification Enhancements/Upgrades​<br></div>0

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