BC Hydro recognized for innovative dam safety information system

Utility wins Esri SAG Award for GIS-based dam safety system that improves risk insight, decisions and community safety in British Columbia

Key points

• BC Hydro has won an Esri Special Achievement in GIS Award for using geographic information systems to strengthen dam safety surveillance, risk management and decision-making.

• Its Dam Safety Information System brings engineering, inspection, environmental and hazard data for 85 dams across 41 sites into one browser-based view.

• Built with Esri’s ArcGIS platform, the system helps teams visualize complex 2D, 3D and time-dependent information to collaborate faster and support safe, reliable electricity service in British Columbia.

TORONTO—July 22, 2026—Esri Canada congratulates BC Hydro for receiving the prestigious Esri Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award for its Dam Safety Information System (DSIS). BC Hydro was selected from thousands of Esri customer organizations worldwide for its innovative use of geographic information system (GIS) technology to strengthen dam safety surveillance, improve access to critical infrastructure information and support informed decision-making across one of Canada’s largest electric utilities.

“BC Hydro’s Dam Safety Information System is an outstanding example of how GIS can transform utility operations by connecting people, assets and data in a shared operating view,” said Alex Miller, president, Esri Canada. “Their work demonstrates how location intelligence can help utilities improve situational awareness, support emergency preparedness and make better decisions for the communities they serve.”

BC Hydro manages 82 dams across 40 sites in British Columbia. Its dam safety teams rely on large volumes of information including engineering reports, drawings, inspection records, photos, videos, LiDAR, InSAR, bathymetry, operating data, weather, avalanche, earthquake and wildfire hazard information to understand network conditions, monitor risk and plan responses. Previously, this information was managed across multiple systems, requiring engineers and technologists to spend valuable time searching for data before they could analyze it.

“Dam safety depends on being able to see the right information at the right time,” said Forrest Wagner, dam safety technology team lead, BC Hydro. “The Dam Safety Information System gives our engineers and technologists a consolidated view of the data they need to assess conditions, understand risks and make timely, informed decisions. We’re honoured to receive this recognition from Esri and proud of the collaboration that made this system possible.”

Built with Esri’s ArcGIS platform, DSIS brings geographic, attribute and time-dependent datasets into a single, browser-based view. The system helps users visualize and analyze 2D and 3D information describing the current state, spatial location, connectivity and performance of BC Hydro’s dams, generation system and surrounding environment.

“For utilities, this kind of location intelligence is increasingly important as organizations manage ageing infrastructure, changing climate risks, growing data volumes and rising expectations for service reliability and public safety,” noted Armando LaCivita, director, utilities, Esri Canada. “By consolidating complex operational and environmental information in one place, DSIS helps engineers, consultants, management, service providers and stakeholders collaborate faster and support safe, reliable and clean electricity for communities across British Columbia.”

Read more about BC Hydro’s Dam Safety Information System. To hear their story in person, register for the Esri Canada User Conference in Toronto on Oct. 21-22, 2026. 

To learn how GIS supports smarter electric utility management, visit esri.ca/electric.

About BC Hydro
BC Hydro is a provincial Crown corporation, owned by the government and people of British Columbia, Canada. We generate and deliver electricity to 95% of the population of B.C. and serve over five million people. That's a big responsibility that demands a simple, clear and straightforward mission with a clear vision that's guided by our values. More information can be found at About Us on bchydro.com.

About Esri Canada
Founded in 1984, Esri Canada provides geographic information system (GIS) solutions that empower people in business, government, and education to make informed and timely decisions by leveraging the power of mapping and spatial analytics. These solutions enable organizations to better manage their resources, plan their future and collaborate within and beyond their organization. Esri Canada’s products and services help advance successful digital transformation. The company serves more than 14,000 organizations from 14 offices across Canada and is based in Toronto. Esri Canada has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 14 consecutive years. More information can be found at esri.ca. Follow Esri Canada on X(Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Esri Canada
press@esri.ca

BC Hydro

User view of the main map in BC Hydro’s Dam Safety Information System