The Gordon Creek outlet is manmade, servicing a power complex that went defunct around 1969.
There is no argument, a power dam did exist, its not like we can argue that.
The question has been and remains, what will be the reserve flow in the Kipawa River and what arrangements will be made for water releases.
It should not just be about generating electricity - but that is where the money comes in.
Les Amis may be interested in the Water Management plan from the Madawaska River.
It all revolves around the Bark Lake Dam:
The operation of the Bark Lake dam is based on an
annual cycle. The lake is lowered prior to the spring melt
and refilled during the spring. Operation of the dam takes
into consideration energy demands, downstream flooding
on the Madawaska and Ottawa Rivers, recreational
opportunities as well as spawning activities by walleye and
other species of fish.
annual cycle. The lake is lowered prior to the spring melt
and refilled during the spring. Operation of the dam takes
into consideration energy demands, downstream flooding
on the Madawaska and Ottawa Rivers, recreational
opportunities as well as spawning activities by walleye and
other species of fish.
Bark Lake has minimum flow
requirements that must be met. In low flow years, OPG will
release water from storage to fulfill these requirements.
requirements that must be met. In low flow years, OPG will
release water from storage to fulfill these requirements.
MKC has received mid-week flow releases from
Bark Lake from May to September to support its whitewater
operations since 1969. In most years, providing the
flow releases through the week for MKC has no impact on
maintaining Bark Lake in the summer operating range. “The perception is that MKC receives
additional flow releases from Bark Lake to operate its
white-water program at expense of Bark Lake users.”
Bark Lake from May to September to support its whitewater
operations since 1969. In most years, providing the
flow releases through the week for MKC has no impact on
maintaining Bark Lake in the summer operating range. “The perception is that MKC receives
additional flow releases from Bark Lake to operate its
white-water program at expense of Bark Lake users.”
MKC and the associated tourist industry cannot operate
without periodic daytime midweek releases. A compromise
has been proposed for Bark Lake flow releases from May
to September that balances upstream and downstream users
during dry conditions.
The following conditions will be continued into the
WMP 2009:
1) MKC receives the 26 hours of midweek water
dispatch (25.6 m3/s) until Bark Lake reaches
313.62 m.
2) MKC midweek water reduced from 26 hours
per week to 18 hours per week when the level is
between 313.62 - 313.50 m.
3) When Bark Lake reaches 313.50 m, Bark Lake
discharge will be reduced. The amount and timing of
flow releases will depend on inflow conditions, time
of year and impact.
The Bark Lake minimum flow is 2.8 m3/s. This is a
fisheries requirement and must be met. If the inflow into
Bark Lake is less than 2.8 m3/s during a drought, the lake
level will decline even without white-water releases.
without periodic daytime midweek releases. A compromise
has been proposed for Bark Lake flow releases from May
to September that balances upstream and downstream users
during dry conditions.
The following conditions will be continued into the
WMP 2009:
1) MKC receives the 26 hours of midweek water
dispatch (25.6 m3/s) until Bark Lake reaches
313.62 m.
2) MKC midweek water reduced from 26 hours
per week to 18 hours per week when the level is
between 313.62 - 313.50 m.
3) When Bark Lake reaches 313.50 m, Bark Lake
discharge will be reduced. The amount and timing of
flow releases will depend on inflow conditions, time
of year and impact.
The Bark Lake minimum flow is 2.8 m3/s. This is a
fisheries requirement and must be met. If the inflow into
Bark Lake is less than 2.8 m3/s during a drought, the lake
level will decline even without white-water releases.
Issue Description: “There is a need to find balance
between flows required for operation of Madawaska
Kanu Centre (MKC), flows for walleye spawning, and
maintaining elevations for shoreline property owners and
boaters in Bark Lake.”
between flows required for operation of Madawaska
Kanu Centre (MKC), flows for walleye spawning, and
maintaining elevations for shoreline property owners and
boaters in Bark Lake.”
2. White-water releases for
Madawaska Kanu Centre when
flows are available will be
maintained.
Madawaska Kanu Centre when
flows are available will be
maintained.
2.Communication between OPG
and MKC to be maintained for
potential releases.
and MKC to be maintained for
potential releases.
Issue Description: “A concern was expressed about
erosion occurring at Bell’s Rapids where the river has been
diverted. The river channel has been changed by natural
erosion processes. Fallen timber has created a safety
hazard for kayakers at the diversion.”
Issue Source: Public
Response: Erosion at Bells Rapids where the river was
diverted is being addressed. A work permit was issued by
MNR to MKC with DFO approval.
Concerns about erosion-related complaints and issues
related to OPG hydroelectric facilities or dams should
be directed to First Line Manager Operating Ottawa\
Madawaska at (613) 432-8878, ext. 3315.
Action 1.
MKC will undertake the remedial work under the work
permit and DFO approval.
erosion occurring at Bell’s Rapids where the river has been
diverted. The river channel has been changed by natural
erosion processes. Fallen timber has created a safety
hazard for kayakers at the diversion.”
Issue Source: Public
Response: Erosion at Bells Rapids where the river was
diverted is being addressed. A work permit was issued by
MNR to MKC with DFO approval.
Concerns about erosion-related complaints and issues
related to OPG hydroelectric facilities or dams should
be directed to First Line Manager Operating Ottawa\
Madawaska at (613) 432-8878, ext. 3315.
Action 1.
MKC will undertake the remedial work under the work
permit and DFO approval.
Erosion protection work was carried out in 2003. MKC
assisted with the work by removing the fallen timber hazard
and MNR contracted a local construction company to do
the shoreline stabilization and mitigation work.
MNR continues to monitor erosion and minimum spawn
flows for spawning at Bell’s Rapids.
assisted with the work by removing the fallen timber hazard
and MNR contracted a local construction company to do
the shoreline stabilization and mitigation work.
MNR continues to monitor erosion and minimum spawn
flows for spawning at Bell’s Rapids.
OPG’s Madawaska River website will include linkages
to MKC and Canoe Ontario’s website.OPG did provide links to the MKC and the Canoe
Ontario’s website. However, they removed the links a few
years later, as OPG now provides information through a
website or a toll-free number. Web updates occur weekly or
bi-weekly. An OPG employee can be contacted at a
toll-free number to obtain level and flow information or
other information.
to MKC and Canoe Ontario’s website.OPG did provide links to the MKC and the Canoe
Ontario’s website. However, they removed the links a few
years later, as OPG now provides information through a
website or a toll-free number. Web updates occur weekly or
bi-weekly. An OPG employee can be contacted at a
toll-free number to obtain level and flow information or
other information.
This water management plan should be developed for the Kipawa in light of the plans for the refurbished station in Temiskaming.
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