Spray plant - update

On September 10, TransAlta returned Spray Unit 1 to service. The unit is functioning properly and remains in continuous operation. The Spray Reservoir has retreated back into its normal perimeter and the flow at Canyon Dam spillway has ceased.  Riparian flows in the Spray River have returned to normal for this time of year. As well, the Goat Pond culverts were closed on September 19, returning Goat Creek to its usual flow. The second unit, Spray Unit 2, is in the re-assembly phase and we plan to have it in service in November.

TransAlta continues to work closely with regulators, fishing guides and others impacted downstream. We engaged an independent environmental monitor to assess fish and fish habitat before and during the spill event on the Spray River and Goat Creek. Currently, the environmental monitor is assessing the fish and fish habitat in the Spray River and Goat Creek post-spill event to identify any impacts to the watercourses.

At the request of Parks Canada, the Goat Creek Trail remains temporarily closed for public safety due to bridge outages. Bridge replacements are currently in progress.

In efforts to proactively mitigate impacts, TransAlta funded a project to restore and create new fish habitat on the middle Spray River. This collaborative project with regulators was successful in the placement of approximately 30 large woody debris piles (approx. 450 cut trees) within the Spray River system. The goal of the piles was to create pool habitat and, at the same time, provide overhead cover for fish in the Spray River.