This Was Our Valley was a phenomenal success when first released in 1989, winning the Alberta Culture Nonfiction prize as well as the Silver medal for the Roderick-Haig Brown BC Books award. Construction of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam commenced in 1963, and went online in 1967. The resulting 640-square mile (1660 square kilometre) reservoir backing the dam was named for Ray Williston, then-BC Minister of Minister of Lands, Forests and Water Resources. The gargantuan lake swallowed up the land and all that had dwelt within the valley. The first editions of This Was Our Valley brought to light the phenomenal changes wrought by the project, from fluctuating water flow-levels to continued erosion of the banks, to loss of forestry, fish and wildlife habitats, homes and businesses - effects that continue to be experienced downstream to the Peace-Athabasca Delta.