Latchford Dam Replacement Project

Latchford Dam

Background

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is the custodian of a dam on the Montreal River at Latchford, Ontario, approximately 130 kilometres north of North Bay, in the Town of Latchford, Ontario. The Dam, built in 1913, controls the water level of Bay Lake, and is comprised of 11 sluiceways, ten piers and two abutments.

While the Latchford Dam is structurally safe, it is now nearing the end of its useful life. The replacement project will allow for continued safe and reliable water management and will bring the Dam in line with the Canadian Dam Association guidelines.

Scope of the activities

The general scope of the Latchford Dam Project is as follows:

  • Construction of a new dam adjacent to the existing structure. The new structure will have the following features:
    • Fourteen gates equipped with stoplogs to control water levels;
    • One mechanical gate for a more precise water control;
    • Deck open to the public on the structure and at the downstream side of the dam;
    • Access and parking areas on both the north and south banks.
  • Removal of the existing Dam.

Previous activities

In the summer of 2012, PWGSC proceeded with a Request for Proposal for an engineering design consultant for the Dam replacement project. This process was conducted in a fair, open and transparent manner through the Government Electronic Tendering System (MERX). On October 4, 2012, PWGSC awarded a $1.2 million engineering design contract for the replacement of the Latchford Dam to the joint venture firm Dessau Inc. and Hydrosys Experts-Conseils Inc.

The contract was competitively awarded and provided engineering design services as well as preparation of construction drawings and specifications for the replacement of the Dam.

The construction drawings and specifications were completed during summer 2014 and an Invitation to Tender (ITT) was posted on the Government Electronic Tendering System buyandsell.gc.ca in September 2014. The Government of Canada has awarded a $25.7-million contract to Construction demathieu & bard inc. of Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, for the replacement of the Latchford Dam.

In April 2015, work on the new dam commenced. Recently achieved project milestones include the preparation of the staging area, including construction trailers; the installation of a silt curtain downstream of the construction area for turbidity control; the construction of the upstream cofferdam to create a dry area for building the first half of the new dam; and the set up of a settling basin to be used during dewatering activities.

Upcoming activities

In 2015, the construction contractor will build the first half of the new dam from the north shore and demolish the associated section of the existing dam. The upcoming activities to be completed are the following:

  • July 2015: Construction of the downstream cofferdam which will permit demolition of the existing dam
  • July 2015: Dewatering the construction area within the cofferdams
  • July 2015: River bed excavation in the location of the new foundation
  • August 2015: Construction of new dam foundation
  • August–September 2015: Construction of the first eight piers
  • August–October 2015: Demolition of the north half of the existing structure
  • September–October 2015: Construction of the new north half dam deck
  • September–December 2015: Construction of the new service building
  • March 2016: Commissioning of the new stoplog lifter

In 2016, the construction contractor will build the second half of the new dam and remove the remainder of the existing dam in the same manner as in 2015. The construction is expected to be completed by late 2016.

Several communication tools will be utilized during the construction project in order to inform neighbours and regional stakeholders of the progress of the activities.

For further information on the recent announcement on public infrastructure investments, please visit the Archived - Government of Canada's news centre.

Environmental Effects Evaluation (EEE)

As a part of the Latchford Dam Replacement Project, PWGSC is required to ensure that an evaluation of environmental effects is conducted pursuant to Section 67 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012 (CEAA 2012), through the Department's Environmental Effect Evaluation (EEE) process.

The EEE evaluated options for the replacement of the existing Latchford Dam with a new control structure. The scope of the EEE process included the demolition of the existing dam, the construction of the new dam, and the operation of the new structure. This includes temporary coffer dams and access facilities, associated approaches, storage sites and other undertakings directly associated with the project. The operations of the new dam will maintain the existing regime of water levels and flows upstream and downstream of the site.

Feedback and Contacts

If you would like to obtain more information, please contact PWGSC's Real Property Branch.