Aug 14, 2025

Town moves forward with Colonia Dam decommissioning

Ladysmith, BC — The Town of Ladysmith will proceed with decommissioning Colonia Dam from the Holland Creek after receiving regulatory approval.

On August 13, the Town was informed that it has received all the necessary approvals from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, BC Dam Safety, and the BC Water Licensing Branch to proceed with decommissioning the Colonia Dam.

As a result, Work is expected to begin immediately and will be carried out alongside the removal of the nearby Mackie Dam. Both projects are being undertaken by Spider Mountain Excavators (SME), the contractor also responsible for decommissioning the Mackie Dam. The work is anticipated to be completed by September 16. By using the same contractor for both the Mackie and Colonia projects, the Town has been able to significantly reduce overall costs.

During the decommission of Colonia Dam, an estimated 1-kilometre section of the Holland Creek/Heart Lake Trail will be closed to the public. There will be no detour available.

The decommissioning of Colonia Dam will follow a process similar to the one Spider Mountain Excavators is using to remove Mackie Dam. Once complete, over one kilometre of Holland Creek will be restored to its natural state, allowing fish to pass freely and providing a significant boost to the creek’s overall ecological health.

During the process, the Town was actively involved in consultation with local Nations to support a respectful, collaborative approach and to ensure alignment with cultural, environmental, and community values.

“The Town is pleased to have received all necessary regulatory approvals to remove the Colonia Dam. Together with the removal of the Mackie Dam, this represents a major milestone for restoration work along Holland Creek," says Mayor Deena Beeston.

The Colonia Dam is a 2.1-metre-high, 18-metre-wide abandoned concrete structure located on Holland Creek, approximately 300 metres upstream from the Mackie Dam. The Town inherited the dam sometime prior to 1947 along with its associated water licence. While its exact construction date is unknown, the dam was originally built by the Wellington Collieries Company to supply water for coal mining operations. It was later used for the Town’s water supply but has not been in service for decades. Over time, sediment has completely filled the reservoir that once existed upstream.

The project is being funded through a $2.75 million grant from the UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for Disaster Risk Reduction–Climate Adaptation, awarded to the Town for remediating three dams along Holland Creek, including the Mackie and Colonia Dams.

For the latest news and updates, visit the Town’s website at www.ladysmith.ca, as well as Facebook and Instagram.

The Town of Ladysmith respectfully acknowledges that we gather and work on the unceded territory of the Stz'uminus First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.

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Media Contact
Nicholas Pescod
Communications & Engagement Specialist
npescod@ladysmith.ca
250-268-0606