Families and tourists looking for a unique summer road trip in northeastern B.C. will have the chance to explore one of the province’s most significant hydroelectric facilities for free this week.
BC Hydro is offering free admission to its W.A.C. Bennett Dam Visitor Centre near Hudson’s Hope on Thursday, July 16.
It’s part of a provincewide “Dam Discovery Day” promotion. The event includes free guided tours and access to exhibits that showcase the role hydroelectricity plays in powering British Columbia.
Located about an hour west of Fort St. John, the W.A.C. Bennett Dam is one of the largest earth-fill dams in the world.
The site overlooks the Williston Reservoir, one of the largest freshwater reservoirs in North America, and offers visitors a firsthand look at the scale of hydroelectric generation in northeastern B.C. dBC Hydro says visitors can explore educational exhibits focused on dam construction, electricity generation, local wildlife and regional history.
The visitor centre also features the “Our Story, Our Voice” First Nations Gallery, along with outdoor exhibits highlighting the culture and heritage of the area.
The free-admission event is being held simultaneously at BC Hydro’s visitor centres in Mission and Revelstoke, but the W.A.C. Bennett Dam remains the closest option for residents of the Peace Region.
Throughout the day, staff-led tours will provide visitors with a behind-the-scenes look at BC Hydro’s generating facilities and the engineering behind hydroelectric dams.
The tours will also highlight the importance of clean electricity generation for homes, businesses and communities across British Columbia.
Regular admission to the visitor centres is $8 for adults and $7 for youth and seniors. BC Hydro says a family of four could save up to $30 by taking advantage of the promotion.