Bobs Lake Dam 1 Bobs Lake Dam History of Dams at Site History - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Bobs Lake Dam 1

Bobs Lake Dam – History of Dams at Site History Dams at outlet of Bobs Lake date back to 1821 • • Government of Canada purchased the dam site in 1870 • In 1871 the size of the dam was significantly increased and Bobs Lake’s place as a reservoir for the Tay and the Rideau Canals was enhanced. Concrete dam dates to around 1930 – several major • repairs and rehabilitations to date 2

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Bobs Lake Dam – Current A Dam Safety Review concluded that the dam is in poor • condition and did not satisfy dam safety guidelines • In June 2015, major rehabilitation work was announced for Bobs Lake Dam • Following geotechnical analysis of the existing dam site, the rock was determined to be of poor quality. • As a result of this analysis, in May 2016 the Government of Canada announced additional resources in order to complete the full replacement of the Bobs Lake Dam 5

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Bobs Lake Dam – Replacement • Plan is for dam to be located about 40m upstream of existing site near the location of remnants from an older dam • Water management strategy / approach will not change due to construction – old dam will continue pass water until new dam is built • A second spillway will be added in order to meet current Canadian Dam Association safety guidelines. A second spillway will not alter water management practises, it is being added as a redundancy in case one spillway is blocked (for ex.) 7

Bobs Lake Dam – Site of new dam 8

Bobs Lake Dam – Preparations • Environmental Assessment has progressed • More detailed Fish Habitat Assessment and Species at Risk Study completed • Enhanced environmental investigation and design work for stream channel rehabilitation between old and new dam with intent of creating Walleye spawning zone • Archaeology undertaken on provincial property and marine areas. Federal property disturbed by previous projects • Engagement with Algonquin First Nation of Ontario underway 9

Bobs Lake Dam – Considerations • In-water work timing restriction March 15-June 30 to protect warm and coolwater spawners (i.e. Walleye) • Downstream flow will be maintained throughout project • Some fish habitat loss as the approximate 40m section between the old dam and new dam will switch from lake habitat to river habitat; however, new channel designed to allow for Walleye spawning and includes riparian planting of trees, shrubs and grasses • Mitigations for species at risk (Gray Ratsnake, Blanding’s Turtle, Snapping Turtle, Butternut) 10

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Bobs Lake Dam – Next Steps Further investigation and preparation work still underway: Fisheries permitting (currently under DFO review) • • Completion of Detailed Impact Assessment • Completion of design, tender and award contract • Property right of way purchase for long term access and lease for construction Liaison with township on new access entrance • Continued community engagement • As a result of outstanding project requirements and importance of timing window: Construction target now Summer 2018 12

For further information on infrastructure projects: www.pc.gc.ca/rcInfrastructure To be added to the community engagement list – email RideauCanal.info@pc.gc.ca and include Bobs Lake in the subject heading Or Contact: Darryl Whitehead External Relations Manager, Infrastructure Darryl.Whitehead@pc.gc.ca 13