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Jordan Diversion Dam

The Jordan Diversion Dam — known locally as Diversion Dam — sits on the Jordan River in British Columbia's southern Vancouver Island, roughly 15 kilometres north of the coast.

Built in 1911 by the Vancouver Island Power Company, the concrete dam stands 126 feet (38. 4 metres) high and was, at the time of its completion, the tallest dam in Canada.

It impounds the Jordan River Diversion Reservoir, covering approximately 18 square kilometres with a capacity of 20. 5 million cubic metres.

Owned and operated by BC Hydro, the dam diverts water through a 7-kilometre underground tunnel to the Jordan River generating station near the coast, which produces more than 100 megawatts at peak capacity.

The original open flume that carried water to the powerhouse was decommissioned in the 1970s. During high rainfall events, the dam's spillway releases water through a large pipe into the river below.

Environmental advocates note that the dam has significantly altered natural flow patterns and contributed to the decline of salmon populations in the Jordan River.


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