District of Barriere CAO Colleen Hannigan reports that Leonie Lake was recently drawn down to enable a Provincially-required dam assessment to be undertaken.
“Leonie is considered a high consequence dam as far as its impact should the dam ever fail,” said the CAO, “The District inherited responsibility for the water licence and the dam from the Barriere Improvement District upon incorporation, as it was used as a reserve water source for the community in the past.”
She noted that the water was drawn down by opening the sluice gate pipe.
“We had to get the water down low enough so the assessment could actually look into the pipe,” said Hannigan, “While the water is down we are also going to be doing minor repairs to the sluice gate as well.”
She did note however that there is still water in the lake, and fish are still actively swimming around.
“It’s going to be filled back as soon as possible, and the water will be allowed to fill up naturally.”