Colliery Dam Safety Information

Colliery Dam Public Safety Information available on City website

The City of Nanaimo is reminding residents who own property, rent accommodation or conduct business downstream of the Chase River Colliery Dams that important public safety information can be readily accessed off the City’s website.

A webpage dedicated to the Lower and Middle Chase River Colliery Dams contains a wide range of information regarding what residents may need to know following a significant earthquake or extreme rainfall event.  Key downloadable documents include:

•  Harewood Evacuation Map 
•  Emergency Preparedness Guide 
•  Grab and go Kit instructions

Residents can also visit the webpage to obtain copies of reports, correspondence and meeting minutes.  To ask questions concerning any of the information presented, or to request information be added to the webpage, please send an email to collierydams@nanaimo.ca

In a recent letter to the City of Nanaimo from the Provincial Government’s Dam Safety Branch City staff were notified that, of the 1,649 regulated dams in British Columbia, only the Middle and Lower Chase River Colliery Dams are currently assigned their highest risk level:  Level 1 Alert.  Accordingly, the City of Nanaimo continues to monitor the status of the Lower and Middle Chase River Colliery Dams regularly.  In addition, the City of Nanaimo maintains an up to date Emergency Management Plan specific to both dams.