Timiskaming Dam Complex: Ontario dam replacement project
From: Public Services and Procurement Canada
Learn about the Timiskaming Dam Complex and the project to replace the Ontario dam.
On this page
- Project overview
- Project description
- Key milestones
- Project background
- Latest news about this project
- Related links
- More information
Project overview
- Location
- Timiskaming, Ontario
Locate the Ontario portion of the Timiskaming Dam Complex on a map - Type of project
- Replacement of the Ontario portion of the Timiskaming Dam Complex
- Lead department
- Public Services and Procurement Canada
- Construction firms
- Hatch Inc. (engineering design contract)
North America Construction Inc. (construction contract) - Value
- $32.9 million
- Project status
- Completed in March 2017
Project description
The Ontario portion of the Timiskaming Dam Complex, located 65 kilometres northeast of North Bay, Ontario, was more than a century old and needed to be replaced. Located on either side of Long Sault Island on the Ottawa River, the complex comprises 2 structurally independent dams: the Ontario dam and the Quebec dam.
These dams control the water level in Lake Timiskaming upstream and the flow of the Ottawa River downstream. They also control the last major reservoir on the Ottawa River upstream of the St. Lawrence River at Montréal and provide water storage for hydroelectric generation downstream.
The complex is an important interprovincial road for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, and it accommodates a natural gas pipeline.
The new Ontario dam was constructed immediately downstream from the original.
The Ontario dam of the Timiskaming Dam Complex (Click to view enlarged image.)
Key milestones
The replacement of the Ontario portion of the dam was part of a five-year work plan.
- 2012: An engineering design contract was awarded to Hatch Inc. of Niagara Falls, Ontario
- 2013: A public information session was held in Temiscaming, Quebec
- 2014: A construction contract was awarded to North America Construction Inc. of Morriston, Ontario
- 2014 and 2015:
- a staging area, including construction trailers, were prepared
- a silt curtain downstream of the construction area was installed to control turbid or muddy water
- the downstream cofferdam was constructed to create a dry area for building the new dam
- water from the construction area within the cofferdams was removed
- the natural gas line was relocated
- the new dam’s foundation and piers were built
- 2016:
- the construction of the dam was completed
- a roadway and operational decks were constructed
- a road for vehicle traffic across the new structure was opened on October 3, 2016
- 2017:
- the old dam was removed
- the construction area was restored
Construction was completed on March 31, 2017.
Project background
Find out more about the project to replace the Ontario portion of the Timiskaming Dam Complex.
Reduced flooding risk
Public Services and Procurement Canada had a water management plan to ensure that water levels were within normal levels during the construction period. During the replacement of the Ontario dam, the Quebec dam was used for water management.
Local traffic
All vehicles continued to use the previously existing road (old dam) during construction.
Changes were made to the road that crosses the dam:
- Wyse Road was extended to intersect with the new Highway 63 alignment
- sight lines were improved since a snow fence is no longer needed, and the new dam has 1.5 metre-wide shoulders, which are wide enough for snow storage in the winter and cyclists in the summer
- the new sidewalk will be cleared of snow by maintenance contractors
- the new dam has lighting
Boat launch
The boat launch remained accessible to the public during and after construction.
The boat launch is not owned or operated by the Government of Canada. No work was performed on that facility.
Recreational fishing
Recreational fishing is known to take place at the Ontario dam, but during construction, fishing was restricted due to safety considerations. Restrictions are no longer in effect.
Latest news about this project
Related links
- Directory of Federal Real Property: Timiskaming Dam (Ontario side)
- There is currently a similar project underway to replace the Quebec dam, visit the Timiskaming Dam Complex: Quebec dam replacement project for details