Geotechnical experts called as 400-metre crack spotted near Site C work area

Feb 24, 2017 | 12:06 PM

VANCOUVER — BC Hydro has confirmed that a 400-metre crack has appeared in the ground near the Site C hydroelectric project in northeastern British Columbia.

In a news release, Hydro says the crack is by a road built to truck away unstable soil before work begins on the foundation for the proposed dam across the Peace River, west of Fort St. John.

According to Hydro, such cracks, called tension cracks, are not unexpected, but the length of the fissure that first appeared on Feb. 18 means it requires further monitoring.

The public utility and its contractor have installed instruments to measure stability around the crack, and geotechnical specialists are examining the fracture.