Hydroelectric Geohazard Contractors
Hydroelectric owners deliver reliable power from complex facilities in unforgiving terrain that communities rely on. GRW supports that responsibility by mitigating rockfall and slope risk so people stay safe, access is secure, and clean power keeps flowing
Understanding Hydroelectric Geohazards
What we work around
We stabilize slopes above powerhouses, dams, spillways, penstocks, intake/outlets, switchyards, and access roads in steep terrain.
problems we deal with
We deal with rockfall, raveling faces, block and wedge instability, shallow slides, debris chutes, and drainage issues that can impact structures, penstock alignments, access roads, or spillways.
our place
We come in as the geohazard and rock-slope contractor on hydro projects—sometimes on a stand-alone stabilization package, sometimes as part of larger civil or upgrade works.
Mitigating Hydroelectric Project Risk's
Risks Of Working On Hydroelectric Sites
Many hydro sites are built in narrow valleys and steep rock canyons where jointed, weathered rock masses sit directly above Hydro assets. A relatively small failure in the wrong location can be a high-consequence event.
These slopes are difficult to manage with conventional equipment: access is limited, rockfaces are tall and complex, and work must be carried out around dam-safety requirements, live high-voltage infrastructure, flow releases, and tight outage windows
Our Response
GRW constructs solutions for the localized geohazard risks around hydro facilities. We bring high-angle crews, specialty drills, and practical staging plans to scale, drill, and install systems on steep slopes.
We work to the design intent and dam-safety criteria, sequencing our work inside outage windows, reservoir and river level changes, and environmental constraints so stabilization is constructible and efficient
How We Add Value
Hydro clients rely on us when they need steep-slope work done safely in difficult access, without blowing outage schedules or long-range generation plans. We are comfortable where most contractors won’t mobilize—remote and vertical sites.
Our work reduces the likelihood that rockfall or slope failure will damage infrastructure or put people at risk. Our approach is well planned and documented. That means fewer geohazard risks around critical hydro assets and a trusted contractor who can deliver on their scope
Common Hydroelectric geohazard problems
- A steep or unstable slope where a failure would have high‑consequence impacts on safety, operations, or critical infrastructure—and the risk is no longer acceptable to carry.
- A geohazard issue that is holding up design, permitting, or construction: it sits in reports, shows up on risk registers, and must be resolved before the rest of the project can move ahead
- A work area that is beyond conventional civil contractors and in‑house crews because of slope angle or the technical demands of installing the stabilization system.
- A situation where the owner needs not only a fix, but a engineered and constructible solution that will stand the test of time.
- Specialized steep slope expertise is needed where safety and schedule are critical factors on the project.
Project Highlight
Carpenter Lake Power Infrastructure
Location: Carpenter Lake, British Columbia
Sector: Utility / Power Distribution
Timeline: 2024 (Completed)
Scope: Remote Foundation Preparation, Rigging, and Specialized Rescue Standby
Maintaining power infrastructure in the rugged terrain surrounding Carpenter Lake requires more than standard utility equipment. BC Hydro partnered with Global Rock Works (GRW) to facilitate the installation of power towers and poles in locations where traditional access was impossible.
Ready to
Work With Us?
When your project is high elevation, high risk, or both, you want the most experienced team on the job. Our seasoned technicians are ready to take on the most complex geohazard projects to keep your site and community safe.