Beckwith ParkDam Decommission Project

April 2026 Update - Doug Ashbee (NQCA Vice President)

On April 1, 2026, Don Mann Excavating Ltd. (DME) was advised that the new Dam Safety Officer (Jeff) has not approved the final Ryzuk Consulting report, therefore retaining the ‘high consequence’ dam failure rating, with resultant higher maintenance and decommissioning costs. DME was provided a new order of direction to be passed to Saanich for consideration.

Last week, Jordan Mann met with the DSO, the Provincial Water License Specialist, and Saanich Engineer Scott Jamieson to review their next steps. Jordan is expecting 2 formal letters from the province; one regarding dam compliance and one regarding direction of the water licenses, which are legacy licenses that DME does not currently use or need.

Ryzuk Consulting prepared and submitted a formal response to the province following the rejection of the consequence classification change. Based on their discussions it is no longer constructive to pursue further reclassification. The focus has now shifted to the limited lawful paths available under provincial direction.

As the current water license holder, DME were advised the path includes transfer of the licenses (& associated responsibility) to another party (Saanich?) or full decommissioning.

Jordan sent a formal letter to Saanich requesting a decision whether they wish to assume the water licenses and responsibility for the dam, or whether DME must proceed toward decommissioning in accordance with Provincial requirements. Saanich Engineering and Parks staff have an internal meeting scheduled in early May to discuss their next steps and whether a staff report will be brought forward to Council. 

RECAP: HOW DOES THIS AFFECT BECKWITH POND’s WILDLIFE HABITAT?

Due to DSO’s latest “high consequence” rating, NQCA and concerned North Quadra residents’ 4-year struggle to maintain/preserve the pond’s current ecological values and wildlife habitat has now reached the least favourable mitigation status.  The projected outcome will now likely include alteration of the trail terrain, reduced pond water level and the removal of many mature cottonwood trees at the main dam site.  If the directive involves the 2 saddle dams, the tree loss could reach 100. The overall ecological effect for the entire pond area and wildlife could be drastic. 

 At NQCA’s May 28, 2026, AGM we welcome resident input and hope to have answers from Saanich to establish if the municipality is willing to assume the water licenses & responsibility.  And then if so, their recommendation from the 3 previously costed options.  

Saanich Engineer, Scott Jamieson noted that given the fall election, decisions "could possibly be deferred to the new Council and may extend timelines". Nevertheless, the “high consequence” rating and associated responsibilities remain the same.

October 2025 Update - Doug Ashbee (NQCA Vice President)

There is still a pause in the ongoing negotiations to decommission the Beckwith Pond dam and possibly transfer the water license from Don Mann Excavating (DME) to Saanich Parks. The Dam Safety Office (DSO) has received & partially reviewed the final Ryzuk Geotechnical consultants report attempting to reduce the dam failure consequence rating from high to only significant. That rating affects the costs and action plan going forward. 

Don Mann Excavating (DME) and Saanich Parks are still waiting for a decision from the Dam Safety Office (DSO) on the Ryzuk Geotechnical report trying to justify a reduction in the Beckwith Ponds’ dam failure ‘consequence rating’ from high to significant. This report only pertains to that rating and nothing else regarding the dam decommissioning requirements.
Due to this DSO delay they have granted DME an indeterminate extension beyond the previous Sept. 30th deadline to come up with an action plan.  Saanich Parks are cautiously optimistic of the DSO downgrading the consequence rating to ‘significant’. However, any action plan probably won’t be finalized and forwarded to council before the end of the year.

Meanwhile Saanich Engineering Dept. hired a consultant to complete a costing analysis OF THE THREE OPTIONS REGARDING THE DAM DECOMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS ; namely dam removal, partial lowering of the dam height and water level by 4 feet (as previously posted on pond signage) or maintaining the current dam height  which entails removing all trees on both sides of the three dams, reinforcing the main dam and undertaking costly inspection reports.

The DSO’s decision on the consequence rating affects the costs involved, which range from 1.5 to 2.5 million. Engineering completed the safety plan as well as a dam maintenance, operation and survival plan as required by the DSO. Saanich directors drafted a memo requesting a staff report recommending the best option to forward for Saanich Council’s approval and funding. They are ready to proceed quickly once the DSO decision is made.

August 2025 Update - Doug Ashbee (NQCA Vice President)

There is still a pause in the ongoing negotiations to decommission the Beckwith Pond dam and possibly transfer the water licence from Don Mann Excavating (DME) to Saanich Parks. The Dam Safety Office (DSO) has received & partially reviewed the final Ryzuk Geotechnical consultants report attempting to reduce the dam failure consequence rating from high to only significant. That rating affects the costs and action plan going forward. The DSO is waiting to consult with one of their engineers to return from vacation in September before rendering a final decision. Because of this added delay DME is confident they will be granted another extension beyond the Sept. 31st deadline to come up with an action plan.

Meanwhile Saanich Engineering Dept. has completed a costing study of the three options regarding the dam decommissioning requirements; namely complete dam removal, partial lowering of the dam height and water level by four feet (as previously posted on pond signage) or maintaining the current dam height ( which entails removing all trees on both sides of the three dams, reinforcing the main dam and undertaking costly inspection reports.

Saanich Parks are also waiting for the DSO’s decision on the Ryzuk report before committing to any action plan that they could recommend to council. It is doubtful that any concrete plans will be forthcoming before the next monthly NQCA meetings in September or October. 

October 2024 Update - Doug Ashbee (NQCA Vice President)

Saanich Parks is still patiently waiting for a response from the Provincial Dam Safety Office to the report submitted by Ryzuk Geotechnical in July. This report specifically addressed the ‘significant consequence rating’ of the risk for dam failure and more closely followed regulatory guidelines than two previously rejected consultants reports.

Unfortunately DSO Dave Johnson left his position in August and only recently was replaced by an acting DSO. If the engineering report is approved by the DSO, Paul DeGreef, Planning & Development Manager for Saanich Parks, will then prepare a report for senior Parks Management recommending the transfer of the Beckwith Pond water license from Don Mann Excavating to Saanich Parks. If this plan is approved and endorsed by Saanich Council the dam will remain in place and be owned & operated by Saanich with little change other than the removal of some trees on the eastern side of Dam #1 (between the rock bluff & the existing spillway).

Paul is cautiously optimistic of the necessary approvals by the end of the year, and is willing to give another brief presentation to residents and the NQCA when a decision has been made.