The upgrades to Sideling Creek Dam, as part of our Dam Improvement Program, will involve strengthening the main embankment of the dam and the concrete spillway, and then restoring the dam’s capacity to the original full supply level. Upgrading the dam is the most cost-effective way to improve dam safety, while maintaining the dam’s flood mitigation benefits and keeping the lake open to recreation.

The work will involve strengthening the main dam embankment (pictured below) by constructing a sand filter layer across the downstream face of the embankment held in place by a layer of engineered fill. The lower part of the dam in the original creek bed will be strengthened by the construction of a rock-fill berm to support the embankment. We expect the upgrade will take about 12 months to complete, subject to weather conditions and other unforeseen delays.