Timiskaming Dam Complex - Ontario Dam Replacement


Timiskaming Dam Complex (From left to right: Ontario Dam, Long Sault Island, and Quebec Dam)

Background

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is responsible for 19 engineering assets across the country, including the Timiskaming Dam Complex, and is carrying out a five-year major capital work plan to ensure they remain safe. As part of this plan, PWGSC is proceeding with the replacement of the Ontario portion of the dam.

The Timiskaming Dam Complex is located approximately 65 kilometres northeast of North Bay, Ontario, on the border between Quebec and Ontario. It includes two structurally independent dams, the Ontario dam and the Quebec dam, which are located on opposite sides of Long Sault Island in the Ottawa River. Long Sault Island and the Ontario dam are located in Ontario while the Quebec dam is primarily located in Quebec, with a portion in Ontario.

A roadway extends over the top of the dams and across the island and connects Highway 63, which originates in North Bay, Ontario, with Highway 101, which extends north to Macamic, Quebec. The roadway has one lane in each direction and includes an adjacent pedestrian pathway.

The dams were built between 1909 and 1913 by the Government of Canada in order to control the water level in Lake Timiskaming upstream and the flow of the Ottawa River downstream. Both dams are constructed of concrete structures that control the water flow by means of sluices containing removable stop logs. The dams control the last major reservoir on the Ottawa River upstream from the St. Lawrence River at Montréal.

The Timiskaming Dam Complex is an important part of local and regional infrastructure as it performs numerous functions, the most important being water level control and water storage for hydroelectric generation downstream. It also provides an important interprovincial transportation link and accommodates a natural gas pipeline.

Scope of the activities

The Ontario dam of the complex is now at the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. The new Ontario dam will involve a realignment. This will allow traffic to continue to use the existing roadway until the new dam is complete.

The Timiskaming Ontario Dam

The general scope of work for the Timiskaming Ontario Dam Replacement Project is as follows:

  • construct a new dam close to the existing one;
  • remove the existing structure; and
  • allow continuing traffic during construction.

During construction and future operation of the dam complex, PWGSC will continue to work with the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board to ensure the integrated management of the Ottawa River's principal reservoirs.

Previous activities

PWGSC issued a Request for Proposal for the tendering 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 9, 2012, the department announced the award of a $1,9M engineering design contract to Hatch Limited of Niagara Falls, Ontario, for the replacement of the Ontario Dam at the Timiskaming Dam Complex.

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

Upcoming activities

The construction drawings and specifications were completed in June 2014 and an Invitation to Tender (ITT) was posted on the Government Electronic Tendering System buyandsell.gc.ca in July 2014.

On August 21, 2014, PWGSC announced the awarding of a $20.9-million contract to North America Construction (1993) Ltd – NAC Constructors Ltd of Morriston, Ontario for the replacement of the Timiskaming Ontario Dam.

The construction started in fall 2014 and will be completed by 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 regarding public infrastructure investments, please see ARCHIVED - Canada News Centre.

Environmental Effects Evaluation pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012

As part of the Timiskaming Ontario 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 Departmental Environmental Effects Evaluation (EEE) process.

The EEE will evaluate the environmental impacts and propose mitigation measures for the replacement of the Timiskaming Ontario Dam. The scope of the EEE process will encompass the proposed options for completing the Timiskaming Ontario Dam Replacement Project. This includes any construction staging areas and in-water works 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.

The EEE was completed in July 2014.

Public Information Session

The answers listed below are in response to questions and concerns that were raised during the Public Information Session held on Monday, October 7, 2013 at The Centre, Salon Desjardins, 20 Humphrey St., Témiscaming, Quebec in support of the Timiskaming Ontario Dam Replacement Project.

Q.1. Is the Timiskaming Ontario Dam safe?

A1. Yes, the Timiskaming Ontario Dam is currently safe. Annual safety inspections are conducted to assess the safety of the dam and to identify maintenance projects. However, after a full century of operation, the Ontario dam has reached the end of its useful life and regular maintenance will no longer be sufficient to ensure it can operate safely. As such, in keeping with the Government of Canadas commitment to the safety of public infrastructure, the Timiskaming Ontario Dam will be replaced.

Q.2. Has an engineering contract been awarded? What is the scope of the services to be provided by the consultant?

A2. A contract for a design consultant was awarded in October 2012 to Hatch Limited of Niagara Falls in the amount of $1.9M.

The scope of the design consultant services covers each phase of the project:

  • Pre-Design and Analysis of Project Requirements
  • Conceptual Design
  • Design Development
  • Construction documents

The primary goal of this project is to replace the Ontario Dam with a new structure and demolish the existing dam afterwards.

Q.3. Where will the new dam be located? What is the schedule?

A3. The new dam will be located immediately downstream (South) of the existing dam.

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is finalizing the preparation of the plans and specifications for the construction project. The construction tender is expected to take place in early 2014 and construction  completed in 2016.

Q.4. What technical studies and analyses are being done to plan the project and create the plans and specifications?

A4. The project team and the design consultant have developed numerous technical analyses, including:

  • Archaeological Assessment;
  • Natural Environment Assessment;
  • Environmental Effects Evaluation;
  • Geotechnical Investigation and Analysis;
  • Hydraulic Analysis and Study;
  • Heritage Assesment;
  • Designated Substance Survey.

Q.5. How will flood concerns be managed for residents living along the shoreline?

A5. A Hydraulic Study and Analysis was completed to confirm that the new dam capacity will meet dam safety guidelines. A water management plan is being developed and the preliminary results show that water levels will be within the normal operational levels during the construction period. The replacement of the Ontario dam will be done over two construction seasons. During replacement of the Ontario dam, the Quebec dam and a portion of the Ontario dam not under construction will be used for water management. Once the construction is completed, the water management will be similar to the existing conditions.

Q.6. Will the dam replacement affect vehicle traffic on the roadway?

A6. The new Ontario dam will be built downstream of the existing dam thus allowing vehicular traffic to continue to use the existing roadway until the new dam is complete.

If temporary closures are required during construction, every effort will be made to avoid creating traffic delays during peak commuting periods.

If lane closures or temporary full closures are required during construction, commuters (including pedestrians and cyclists) will be notified well in advance through electronic message signs and public notices.

Q.7. Will there be any load restrictions or lane reductions on the existing Ontario dam?

A7. PWGSC will continue to perform inspections of the existing Ontario dam during the construction project. At this time, it is not anticipated that load restrictions or lane reductions will be required on the existing Ontario dam.

Q.8. Will Wyse Road be realigned as a result of the new dam?

A8. The existing section of Wyse Road will not being realigned. Wyse Road will simply be extended to intersect with the new Highway 63 alignment.

Q.9. Will a 3rd road lane be included on Highway 63 going to Temiscaming at the junction with Wyse road to allow safer turning onto Wyse Road?

A9. After having completed a detailed traffic assessment, it has been determined that a 3rd lane is not warranted.

Q.10. The wooden snow fence recently installed on the existing Ontario dam creates a sightline issue when exiting Wyse Road. Will the new dam have a wooden snow fence?

A10. PWGSC and Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) are aware that the wooden snow fence is not ideal and are investigating ways to improve sightlines.

The wooden snow fence was installed to prevent snow and ice from being deposited on the dams stoplogs, making it impossible to move them until thawing. The proposed cross-section for the new dam has a 1.5m wide shoulders for snow storage. We do not anticipate the need to use wooden snow fence on the new dam.

Q.11. Currently, snowmobiles cross the river using the Ontario dam roadway traffic deck. Will snowmobiles also be allowed to cross the Ontario dam during construction? Will they also be allowed to cross the river using the new Ontario Dam?

A11. Yes, snowmobiles will continue to use the same routes to cross the river during and following construction. Access will be available at all times during construction.

Q.12. Will there be snow clearing of the new sidewalk?

A12. Yes, the snow will be cleared from the new sidewalk by maintenance contractors under the direction of the MTO.

Q.13. Will the boat launch remain accessible during and after construction? Will PWGSC be improving/fixing the launch?

A13. The boat launch will remain accessible to the public during and after construction. If there are public safety concerns when using the boat launch during construction, an alternative option will be offered to all users.

The boat launch is not owned nor is it operated by PWGSC. PWGSC will not perform any work on the boat launch facility.

Q.14. Is lighting for the dam planned? Are there plans for a bicycle path on the dam?

A14. As it is currently the case for the existing dam, lighting is being planned as part of this project.

The width of the shoulder on the bridge will be 1.5m that would be used by cyclists.

Q.15. Is an Environmental Effects Evaluation being performed? Is the Province of Ontario doing one?

A15. An Environmental Effects Evaluation for this project is being undertaken, as per Section 67 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA, 2012). Required mitigation measures will be identified and will be implemented during the construction of the new dam. The mitigation measures will cover the quality of air and water, soil, surface and ground water, vegetation, endangered species, fish and aquatic habitat, birds, health and safety, noise, drinking water and other elements. PWGSC has provided an opportunity to the public and stakeholders to provide input on the potential environmental effects of the project through the public information session held in October 2013. A number of biological and socio-economic studies were completed in order to address the potential environmental effects of the project.

An Ontario Class Environmental Assessment for Transportation Facilities is being completed on this aspect of the design and all the necessary information and consideration of impacts required for this Class Environmental Assessment will be incorporated into the assessment for this project.

Q.16. Will recreational fishing be allowed at the Ontario Dam?

A16. Recreational fishing is known to be undertaken at the Ontario dam. During construction, fishing will be restricted from the Ontario dam due to safety considerations.

Q.17. How will you keep local stakeholders and members of the public informed during the project?

A17. PWGSC has been meeting with key stakeholders to ensure that they are informed about this project.

PWGSC will continue to maintain open and proactive communications with the local municipalities, the Provincial Ministries of Transportation and other key departments and agencies to ensure that communications are coordinated with these organizations.

PWGSC has also put in place a project website to inform members of the public.
During construction, the public will be informed through electronic message signs and/or public notices.

Q.18. Will the Timiskaming Complex be used to generate electricity?

A18. No. In May 2013, PWGSC engaged KPMG to assess the business case and regulatory implications associated with configuring the Ontario dam for hydro-electric generation. The report indicates that financial returns are insufficient to make a viable project.

Q.19. Is PWGSC replacing the Quebec dam?

A19. PWGSC is considering a major rehabilitation or replacement of the Quebec dam in the near future. However, it is too early to provide details.

Feedback and contacts

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