Rutherford Creek Power Project

In 2002, Peter Kiewit Sons, Co., a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation, was awarded this "run-of-river" 50 megawatt hydroelectric project comprising water intakes, a 5.5-mile pipeline, and a powerhouse and switchyard, providing power generation without imposing a negative impact on the natural habitat. The new facility generates enough electricity annually to provide power for approximately 7,000 households, and offset between 70,000 and 130,000 tons of annual carbon dioxide generation.

Under an EPC contract, the scope of work includes water diversion and storage to submerge the intake pipes, while minimizing landscape disturbance. After being routed through the powerhouse, all water is returned to natural flow into the creek. Quantities included 600,000 cu. meters of excavation, 9,000 cu. meters of cast-in-place reinforced concrete, installation of 3 km. of 2.4-meter-dia. HDPE pipe, installation of 6 km. of 2-meter-dia. steel pipe (4.1 million Kg), and two 25 megawatt pelton wheel turbine/generators.

In addition, the design accommodates a world-class kayaking training facility constructed adjacent to the powerhouse. This facility includes a classroom, and a channel with weirs, baffle walls, boulders and anchor pads. This new power source is a non-consumptive, non-polluting, and renewable means of generating electricity. Additionally, the project has met the requirements of B.C. Hydro's green energy procurement program.