Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/656905
By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror A Parks Canada project to improve the safety stan- dards of the Bob's Lake Dam will begin construc- tion after the completion of a design and environ- mental assessment begun last year. A geotechnical analysis of the site last December revealed that the rock on which the existing dam is built is of poor quality. A new structure will be built upstream from the current dam before the old dam is decommissioned and the new dam takes up the work of controlling water levels on Bob's and Crow's lakes. The two lakes took up the role of acting as reser- voirs for the Rideau Canal in 1871 after the Federal government purchased the dam site in 1870. Dams at the site date back to 1821. Years of drought in the 1860's prompted the pur- chase. The flooding of the lake with the raising of the water levels flooded low- land fields and created what is now a larger waterbody. The new dam will meet 21st century safety stan- dards for safety and will include two spillways. Monitoring equipment will be installed on the upstream side of the dam to provide telemetric read- ings which provide infor- mation which benefits flood forecasting and canal water level manage- ment. On Tuesday members of the Friends of the Tay were happy to hear news of the project from Parks Canada Ontario Water- ways External Relations Manager Darryl White- head but were disappoint- ed by the lack of timelines. "Parks will be contact- ing stakeholders as the project details become known. "We will be reaching out to stakeholders," assured Whitehead who attended the meeting at the invitation of the 'Friends' with water manager Dave Ness and Environmental officer Shawn McIntosh. McIntosh said that due to the complexity of the project an outside consul- tant, Parsons, had been hired for the project to conduct the environmental assessment. Construction of the project would begin at the end of the season to avoid spawning season. The cost of the project, which in 2015 was esti- mated to be $3.1 million was part of an announce- ment for an investment of $46 million for work along the canal which according to a 2012 evalu- ation had a repair deficit of over $100 million. Ongoing information is available about Rideau Canal infrastructure pro- jects under visitor infor- mation/infrastructure. The Review-Mirror March 24, 2016 – 16 The cost to replace the dam that holds back Bob's Lake was estimated in 2015 to be $3.1 million, part of an announcement for an investment of $46 million for work along the Rideau Canal. 18 Concession Street Westport W.E.T.T. Certified ( ) 613 273-4402 Toll Free 1-888-743-3288 www.rvhh.com Professional . . SALES SERVICE INSTALLATION since 1982 Professional . . SALES SERVICE INSTALLATION since 1982 In Celebration of our 22 nd Anniversary we are offering... 22 % OFF Installation Labour Many thanks to all of our loyal customers and friends for an amazing 22 years and beyond! since 1994 Bolingbroke dam to be completely replaced AMG Environmental was in Westport Tuesday to install five sewage flow meters, that the village hopes will pinpoint where all of the extra water is inflowing into the sys- tem. Just last week alone, the sewage lagoon received close to 600 cubic metres per day for four days, close to double the approved limit, and well over double how much water actually came out of town wells. The rented meters will be moved around over the next four months.