Some local residents may be a little relieved that BC Hydro is not proceeding with the Grohman Narrows dredging project.
Andy Davidoff – whose area includes part of the Kootenay River downstream of the narrows – says there were some concerns about what could happen with increased volumes flowing through there.
But Davidoff says there are always some unknowns.
The utility decided the dredging project would not provide sufficient flood control benefits for Kootenay Lake relative to the costs and potential risks.
Peak freshet levels could have been reduced by between 9 inches and 2 feet.
Davidoff says that may well have been a significant difference to those living on the lake itself when it comes to lower lying homes or septic fields for example.
