GSS Engineering Consultants Ltd Dam Removal and LRIA Jeff Graham, P. Eng June, 2017

Transcription

1 GSS Engineering Consultants Ltd Dam Removal and LRIA Jeff Graham, P. Eng June, 2017 Below - Lockerby Dam on North Saugeen River - removed August, 2015

2 Background Jeff Graham is a life long angler stream fishing for trout number one interest! Have always had a strong interest in the streams and rivers of Southern Ontario Beginning in 2013, applied on behalf of two conservation authorities for DFO RFCPP funding for several dam removal projects Has now been involved with the successful removal of three dams, the partial removal of another, and the planned removal (hopefully) of four more dams with another potentially in the wings.

3 Background con t Also, long time interest in water temperatures including Stoneman and Jones protocol for predicting trout stream quality based on summer stream temperatures Completed Bighead River study in 2000 using the above protocol which resulted in over $100,000 of cattle fencing, tree planting and bank stabilization projects on the Bighead River. Completed several major sewage plant projects including assimilative capacity studies Completed major fish culture station projects for MNRF.

4 Benefits of Dam Removal Eliminates fish barriers many MNR dams have fish ladders but many fishways do not pass warmwater species (walleye, muskie, pike, sturgeon and bass) Reduces summer water temperatures critical for resident trout populations on headwater streams Improves water quality less summer algae and turbidity. Less bacteria? Avoids long term sediment accumulation restores natural sediment and gravel flow

5 Benefits of Dam Removal con t Net gain for recreation many old reservoirs in Southern Ontario have lost their appeal as they have filled in with sediment and have poor water quality Reduced Cost true long term cost of ownership is high insurance, asset management requirements, public liability etc. Some people want existing, public dams to stay. However, there are significant liabilities associated with being a dam owner.

6 RFCPP Program The 6 th intake of the RFCPP was last December. No public release as to what projects have been approved. Note approved projects now determined. Main objective is to improve the physical habitat for sportfish species (as opposed to non sportfish species or SAR species) Most recent website announcement indicates there will not be a 7 th intake (application) opportunity. The program started in 2013 and will run to 2019, investing $8.6 M in fish habitat projects across Canada.

7 Dam projects completed Lockerby Dam on the North Saugeen River tendered and successfully removed during the summer of 2015 with Saugeen Conservation Authority Listowel Dam modifications RFCPP funding to improve access and habitat in the Middle Maitland River upstream of Listowel. Successfully completed in fall, For Municipality of North Perth. Haines Dam on the Beaver River near Thornbury initially tendered in 2015 but came in over budget sediment management was major cost issue. For Grey Sauble Conservation Authority. Haines was retendered in 2016 and successfully removed in August 2016

8 Dam projects con t Hamel s Pond Dam on Otter Creek in Mildmay initially tendered in 2015 with another consultant but costs came in too high. GSS Engineering retained in 2016 and we successfully applied to RFCPP for funding, and then successfully retendered and removed Hamel Dam in early September, For above projects, we applied successfully to MNRF under the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act (LRIA) for a Work Permit to remove the dam in question.

9 Dam projects con t GSS also completed dam removal drawings for the Petun Dam on the upper section of Black Ash Creek near Collingwood for NVCA. Completing drawings for proposed removal/modification of an ice control dam on Beeton Creek near Tottenham Have partially completed a Class EA to for possible repair or removal of the Howson Dam on the North Maitland River Have completed a public meeting with preliminary concept drawings for the removal of the Truax Dam on the Saugeen River at Walkerton Lastly have just tendered for the removal of the Rotary Park dam on Armstrong Creek in Markdale (West Branch of the Rocky Saugeen River). LRIA application pending.

10 Lockerby Dam before in June 2015 on North Saugeen River near Paisley

11

12

13

14

15

16 August 26, 2015

17

18

19 Listowel Dam on Middle Maitland River - October, 2015

20

21

22

23

24 Haines Dam on the Beaver River

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32 Hamel s Pond on Otter Creek in Mildmay

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41 Lessons Learned With no push to remove dams in Ontario, dam owners can easily leave their dams as is. This is the case with many public and private dams in Ontario. No push from any particular authority so many slowly deteriorating. Complex LRIA legislation to remove dams could be one impediment to community groups successfully completing dam removal projects.

42 Lessons Learned. Successful removal of a dam includes a number of steps. Political will the Owner of the dam needs to want to remove it. Perceptions. the pond will look ugly when the dam is removed a strong rehab plan may be key. Funding always a problem most green funds might provide $5,000 to maybe $25,000..that's why the RFCPP program was a real plus for dam removal projects

43 Work Permit (LRIA) process Once a decision is made to try and remove a dam, the following needs to be addressed in order to receive a Work Permit from the MNRF Proof of public input A Class EA may be required for Municipally owned dams however old dams appear exempt from Class EA s Input from First Nation communities Sediment evaluation sample for contaminants. Determine if you can leave in place, remove offsite, or let some (all?) flow downstream. Sediment management can have big $$$ effect on dam removal costs

44 Work Permit process con t Hydrology and drawings MNR will want high flow and low flow analysis done for dam site. For before and after dam removal conditions. Engineered drawings showing existing dam conditions, a step wise dam removal process, and drawings showing site before and after dam removed

45 LRIA The Lakes and Rivers improvement Act is complex legislation. To build or repair a dam, a full LRIA application is required. This normally includes quantifying the Hazard Potential Classification (HPC) as being high, medium or low hazard if the dam was to fail under flood or sunny day conditions. Once the HPC is done, the Inflow Design Flood (IDF) is determined. The IDF is used to do a dam safety analysis and a structural analysis may be required. Detailed drawings are required as well as a design analysis. For old dams, completing the dam safety analysis normally difficult as detailed drawings of 75+ year old dams often not available.

46 LRIA con t We have only done LRIA applications for dams proposed for removal. MNR may not require the HPC and IDF analysis for dam removal. Overall, a simpler approval process but depends on each situation. A priority for MNRF is to ensure the Crown (the Province) inherits no liability based on a work permit they issue. Early consultation with MNRF on the approval process is recommended especially when SAR species, First Nation concerns and downstream dams are issues that may come into play.

47

48

49

50

51 Conclusion Thank you very much for having me as your guest! Questions appreciated!