Mandatory Evacuation of Homes near Little Salmon River

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Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – The Halifax Regional Municipality, in coordination with Halifax Water and emergency management agencies, has declared a mandatory evacuation of approximately 135 homes near Little Salmon River, downstream of Lake Major dam, on Saturday, Jan. 17, due to work happening on the dam.

Residents are advised that there is no immediate risk to the public. This is a precautionary measure in the event that there is a breach to the dam during the work.

Halifax District RCMP officers and ground search-and-rescue volunteers are going door-to-door this evening advising the affected residents that they are required to be out of their homes no later than 8 a.m. Saturday. If residents do not have alternate accommodations, they are asked to phone the Citizen Contact Centre at 311.

Evacuation warming centres will be open for displaced residents starting at 8 a.m. Saturday at the following two locations:

  • East Preston Community Centre, 24 Brooks Dr., East Preston
  • City Heights Church, 946 Main St., Westphal

Halifax Water crews discovered an issue with the fish ladder adjoining the Lake Major dam during a recent routine inspection. The dam is structurally sound; however, repairs to the fish ladder need to move ahead right away.

The maintenance work is scheduled to take place starting at 9 a.m. until approximately 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17.

Four of the six bridges in the area of the dam will be closed to traffic while this work is going on. Those include the bridges on Lake Major Road, Salmon River Drive, Crane Hill Road and Ross Road. The bridges on Highway 107 and Highway 207 will remain open throughout the day, barring any issues during the maintenance.

Further updates on this situation can be obtained through the Citizen Contact Centre at 311, the Halifax.ca website and Twitter via @HalifaxWater.

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