On December 18, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) announced that it’s investing $75 million to rehabilitate 10 dams across the province over the next four years. The rehabilitation project will extend the life of each dam by up to 100 years.
“Properly maintained dam infrastructure is vital for ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities and the surrounding environment,” said Graydon Smith, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, in a statement.
The 10 dams included in the rehabilitation are Baysville Dam in the Township of Lake of Bays, Frood Lake Dam in the Township of Espanola, Lang Lake Dam in the Township of Espanola, Forest Lake Dam in Smellie Township, Gooseneck Lake Dam in the Municipality of Whitestone, Huntsville Dam in the Town of Huntsville, Hurdman Dam in the Town of Mattawa, Shaw Lake Dam in the Municipality of Huron Shores, Whitefish Lake Dam in the Township of Lismore, and Wagita Concrete Dam in the Township of Atikokan.
This is the provincial government’s second funding announcement aimed at dams in the last year and a half. In November 2023, the MNRF committed $22 million to reconstructing six dams across the province.
Beaver dam blamed for flash flood on Quebec highway
The funding is in response to an Auditor General’s report issued in 2022 that criticized the MNRF for its lack of support towards infrastructure such as dams, leaving the public at risk. Besides generating power and, occasionally, providing water supplies for municipalities, dams are instrumental in preventing flooding. A dam failure could result in severe damage to property, the environment, and endanger people’s lives.
According to the Auditor General’s report, much of the information needed to prioritize the rehabilitation or reconstruction of the 316 MNRF-owned dams was missing from the ministry’s system, including the age and condition of the dam, the likelihood of the dam failing, and the impact of a dam failure.
In Ontario, dams are classified under the Hazard Potential Classification (HPC) system. A dam’s HPC is assigned based on the incremental loss that would result from the dam failing and the risk it would cause to life, property, the environment, and culture, such as heritage sites. A dam’s HPC determines the owner’s requirements around design, construction, operation, maintenance, inspection, and emergency preparedness.
Cottage Q&A: Emergency preparedness for remote cottages
A dam with a Low HPC rating means there’s no potential for loss of life and property damage wouldn’t exceed $300,000. A dam with a Moderate HPC rating would have no potential loss of life and estimated property damage wouldn’t exceed $3 million. A dam with a High HPC rating has the potential loss of life of one to 10 people, property damage that wouldn’t exceed $30 million, and the potential to lose at-risk species or their habitats. A dam with a Very High HPC rating has the potential loss of life of 11 people or more, property damage exceeding $30 million, and significant loss of wildlife, including at-risk species and their habitats.
The Auditor General’s report went on to say that of the ministry-owned dams expected to need rehabilitation within the next 20 years, only 31 per cent had been assessed. The Auditor General estimated the cost of replacing the dams that had been assessed at $321 million.
The Auditor General also accused the MNRF of not inspecting privately owned dams. Aside from provincially and federally owned dams, dams can also be owned and operated by municipalities, private individuals, conservation authorities, and businesses, such as mining companies. There are approximately 1,050 privately owned dams across the province. Under the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act, the MNRF is responsible for any hazards, such as flooding, that occurs as a result of these private dams failing. As of 2022, when the report was released, the MNRF had not inspected any of these dams.
This is why the government is investing in dam rehabilitation, to avoid any future disasters. The ministry said the 10 selected dams is the next step in its long-term plan to improve dam infrastructure and protect public safety.
Related Story City of Pickering designates funds to complete purchase of section of Lake Ontario
Related Story Government of Ontario proposes $100 million in funding for new hospital in Collingwood
Related Story Algonquin Park announces the construction of a brand new hiking trail with scenic lookouts