Learn more: Our operations

Welcome to Rio Tinto's new online community where we want to engage with you about all things Nechako Reservoir.

We want to improve the way we engage with you. We will post frequent updates about our operations, actively listen to your feedback, respond to your questions and increase transparency in how we make decisions.

Your voice matters - so please get involved today!

Welcome to Rio Tinto's new online community where we want to engage with you about all things Nechako Reservoir.

Your voice matters - so please get involved today!

Nechako Reservoir Update - July 29, 2021

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Reporting Period: July 23 to July 29, 2021
- Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days going from 2798.66 feet to 2798.23 feet.
- Skins Lake Spillway discharge has been adjusted a few times over the past 7 days and is currently 282 m3/s.
- As part of the Summer Temperature Management Program (STMP), frequent spillway adjustments can be expected over the summer to meet the requirements of the STMP and based on weather conditions.
- Eight (8) mm of precipitation was observed last week and three (3) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
- Nechako River flow discharge changes in the past 7 days at various locations are as follows:
  - Flow at Nautley decreased from 42 m3/s to 36 m3/s
  - Flow at Vanderhoof decreased from 355 m3/s to 308 m3/s
  - Flow at Cheslatta Falls decreased from 288 m3/s to 280 m3/s
- Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.
- Please see images below for further detail regarding current conditions.
Community Leaders - Information Sharing

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Rio Tinto is providing bi-weekly updates to community leaders in the Nechako Watershed. The intent of each update is to review new information on snowpack, river forecasts, and flow management. You can access the three most recent presentations by clicking on the links below, or access any of the presentations in our document library here.
Community Presentation - July 22, 2021
Community Presentation - July 7, 2021
Community Presentation - June 9, 2021
Skins Lake Spillway Campground is Open!

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Nechako Reservoir Update - July 22, 2021

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Reporting Period: July 16 to July 22, 2021
- Reservoir level has decreased in the past 7 days going from 2799.05 feet to 2798.66 feet.
- Skins Lake Spillway discharge decreased from 453.1 m3/s to 283 m3/s in the past 7 days.
- As part of the Summer Temperature Management Program (STMP), frequent spillway adjustments can be expected over the summer to meet the requirements of the STMP and based on weather conditions.
- Twenty-nine (29) mm of precipitation was observed last week and twelve (12) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
- Nechako River flow discharge changes in the past 7 days at various locations are as follows:
  - Flow at Nautley decreased from 48 m3/s to 42 m3/s
  - Flow at Vanderhoof increased from 261 m3/s to 355 m3/s
  - Flow at Cheslatta Falls increased from 185 m3/s to 288 m3/s(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)
- Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link).
Spillway Discharge Update - July 16, 2021

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- Skins Lake Spillway discharge will be increased today at 4pm PST from the present level of 170 m3/s to 453.1 m3/s.
- There will be a sudden increase of water flow in the Cheslatta River immediately south of the spillway.
- The increase in water discharge is in preparation for the Summer Temperature Monitoring Program (STMP). See below for more information about the STMP.
- Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.
Nechako Reservoir Update - July 15, 2021

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Reporting Period: July 9 to July 15, 2021
- Reservoir level has increased in the past 8 days going from 2799.00 feet to 2799.05 feet.
- Skins Lake Spillway discharge decreased from 200 m3/s to 170 m3/s in the past 7 days.
- Skins Lake Spillway discharge will be adjusted in the coming weeks as required for the Summer Temperature Management Program (STMP), depending on weather conditions.
- Zero (0) mm of precipitation was observed last week and twenty-one (21) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
- Nechako River flow discharge changes in the past 7 days at various locations are as follows:
  - Flow at Nautley decreased from 59 m3/s to 48 m3/s
  - Flow at Vanderhoof decreased from 344 m3/s to 261 m3/s
  - Flow at Cheslatta Falls decreased from 242 m3/s to 185 m3/s(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)
- Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link).
We would like your feedback!

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Please share your feedback with us to help improve how we communicate information about reservoir management and our operations.
We thank you for taking a few moments to complete a short survey on your experience with Flow Facts. Your feedback is valuable and will allow us to better meet your expectations. You can access the survey here.
Thank you in advance,
Rio Tinto BC Works Team
Nechako Reservoir Update - July 8, 2021

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Reporting Period: July 1 to July 8, 2021
- Reservoir level has increased in the past 8 days going from 2798.72 feet to 2799.00 feet.
- Skins Lake Spillway discharge was decreased on July 5 from 277 m3/s to 200 m3/s as part of reservoir management. A further decrease is anticipated on July 9 from 200 m3/s to 170 m3/s.
- Seven (7) mm of precipitation was observed last week and eleven (11) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
- Nechako River flow discharge changes in the past 7 days at various locations are as follows:
  - Flow at Nautley decreased from 72 m3/s to 59 m3/s
  - Flow at Vanderhoof increased from 327 m3/s to 344 m3/s
  - Flow at Cheslatta Falls decreased from 249 m3/s to 242 m3/s(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)
- Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link).
Spillway Discharge Update - July 5, 2021

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- Skins Lake Spillway discharge was decreased Monday July 5 from 275 m3/s to 200 m3/s as part of reservoir management.
- There will be a sudden decrease of water flow in the Cheslatta River, immediately south of the spillway.
- Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here.(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link
Nechako Reservoir Update - June 30, 2021

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Reporting Period: June 25 to June 30, 2021
- Reservoir level has increased in the past 7 days going from 2798.19 feet to 2798.72 feet.
- Skins Lake Spillway discharge was maintained at 277 m3/s for the past 6 days; however discharge may be decreased to ~200 m3/s next week if inflows continue to decrease.
- Two (2) mm of precipitation was observed last week and two (2) mm of precipitation is expected for next week.
- Nechako River flow discharge changes in the past 7 days at various locations are as follows:
  - Flow at Nautley decreased from 86 m3/s to 72 m3/s
  - Flow at Vanderhoof increased from 311 m3/s to 327 m3/s
  - Flow at Cheslatta Falls increased from 212 m3/s to 249 m3/s(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)
- Real-time and historical information on reservoir activity can be viewed at any time by clicking here(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link).