climate's not the only thing changing

So is Atlin’s ability to do something about it.

Together, we’re taking 360 million litres of diesel off the road and preventing over a million tons of greenhouse gas too.

64+ BILLION LITRES OF WATER l 240 METRE CHANGE IN ELEVATION l 40 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND STEWARDSHIP

Optimizing the Renewable Power of Surprise Lake & Pine Creek

The optimized Atlin Hydro Opportunity sends a penstock (water pipe) directly from Surprise Lake to a single lower powerhouse near the Warm Bay Road, greatly improving the project’s design safety while making smarter use of the natural geography and water resource - an opportunity that delivers a more economically and environmentally sustainable Atlin.

 

KEY UPDATES

  • THELP intends to submit an updated Clean Energy Development Plan to the Government of British Columbia in late summer 2022

  • Historic environmental monitoring and stewardship to protect Pine Creek and Surprise Lake for generations

  • Problematic second powerhouse beside the existing powerhouse eliminated

  • Open head ponds, and higher risk canal element from previous design eliminated

  • Transmission lines in residential areas will now be buried

  • Additional weir structures eliminated

  • Entire penstock to be buried

 

LET’S EXPLORE

Changes from the Hydro Expansion Project

Key optimizations from the initial Atlin Hydro Expansion Project make Atlin’s Hydro Opportunity safer, smarter and more sustainable

Atlin’s Hydro Opportunity incorporates feedback and wisdom from community advocates, construction professionals, and hundreds of conversations THELP has had since 2015

 
 

SAFER

  • Full penstock solution prevents risks associated with frazil ice buildup and removal

  • Open canal element removed entirely, reducing risk to animals and the public

  • No new powerhouse construction near existing powerhouse reduces risk

  • Significant reduction of required in-stream construction work

  • Significantly less impact on fish and general ecosystem during construction

 

SMARTER

  • Penstock efficiency makes best use of the approved available water in the ecosystem

  • Increased generation at Lower Powerhouse best leverages change in elevation (head)

  • Penstock innovation addresses existing frazil ice issue and resulting wasted water

  • Industry-best engineering practices and construction process minimizes footprint

  • Optimized design simplifies long-term maintenance complexities and costs

 

and MORE SUSTAINABLE

  • Environmental monitoring and stewardship protecting key sites on Surprise Lake

  • Quality, permanent, full-time jobs in operations and environmental monitoring

  • Over 9 million fewer litres of diesel will be burned each year in Southern Yukon

  • Millions of Yukon ratepayer dollars to Atlin each year, not giant oil companies

  • Lower Pine Creek penstock will introduce helpful monitoring and stewardship

  • A strategy for more hiking and accessible trails in the lower Pine Creek Flats

  • The Opportunity will prevent over 1 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions

  • More resilient recreation, tourism, and economic infrastructure

Clean Energy Development Plan (CEDP) documents for Atlin’s Hydro Opportunity are now available.

 
 
LET'S EXPLORE

The Lower Powerhouse is 30 Tarahne boat lengths from Pine Creek Beach, or 650+ meters

64+ Billion Litres

Understanding the Pine Creek ecosystem and how Atlin’s Hydro Opportunity impacts Pine Creek water flow