May 2024 Update
Virtual Public Meeting for Environmental Assessment of the Kashwakamak Lake Dam – Thursday, May 23, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm.
Read more here: MVCA PDF
March 2024 Update
First Community Liaison Committee Meeting held
As you may recall, the KLA is closely following the Environmental Assessment Review of the Kashwakamak Lake dam. I am pleased to report that the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) is making good progress on its Environmental Assessment Review for the future of the dam over the Mississippi River at the eastern end of our lake. On February 26, the MVCA and its Consultants Egis presented preliminary findings to the first meeting of the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) established to provide input into the review.
The CLC includes North Frontenac Mayor Gerry Lichty; representatives of the KLA, Directors Alan Dean and Andrew Johnston; three other KLA members who are lake cottage owners, Michael Fenton, Lawrence Flynn and Bernie Harrigan; and a representative of the Hiawatha First Nation, Tom Cowie, Lands/Resources Consultation.
Lisa Marshall, the project manager at Egis, led the presentation. She reviewed the areas examined by the study team: the natural and social environment of the dam; archaeological and heritage assessments; hydrological studies upstream and downstream of the dam, and a structural evaluation of the dam itself. One consideration is maintaining water levels for the Manòmin (wild rice fields) which has a cultural significance to the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, Alderville First Nation and potentially other First Nations.
The study team then examined five alternatives: (1) do nothing – make no changes at this time; (2) demolish and decommission the existing dam and either construct a passive system (such as an overflow weir system) or reinstate the natural watercourse; (3) rehabilitate the existing dam; (4) demolish the existing dam and replace it with a new dam at the same location; (5) demolish the existing dam and replace it with a new dam built across the Mississippi River a short distance downstream.
Good news!
Based on an initial evaluation, the recommended technically preferred alternative is Alternative 4 – replace the existing dam at the same location. This alternative will enable the MVCA to maintain current water levels and flows upstream and downstream of the dam and provide additional capacity to handle major storms and future climate change events, with no adverse environmental impact.
Next steps
After a good discussion, the members of the CLC expressed broad support for rebuilding the dam at its present location. Egis and the MVCA emphasized that this alternative was the currently recommended alternative and will be confirmed following further consultation with agencies, stakeholders, First Nations, interest groups and the public. A Public Information Centre will be set up this spring to provide an opportunity for further input. Selection of the technically preferred alternative will be made upon the completion of this stage of consultation and the remaining studies.
The EA review should be completed this year, followed by a formal notice of project completion. Detailed design, tendering and contract selection will proceed during 2025. Demolition and reconstruction will probably not start before 2026.
Addressing our concerns
The CLC urged the MVCA to minimize any disruption to the normal schedule for raising and lowering the level of our lake and to provide early notice of any changes. The MVCA agreed to do so and indicated they were eager to reach out to the lake community through the KLA and other lines of communication.
The KLA is committed to keeping our members and lake community up-to-date with this project.
Please forward any concerns or questions to either directoralan@kashwakamak.ca or directorandrew@kashwakamak.ca . This is a standing item at our monthly board meetings and we also plan to have a presentation at our July 13 AGM.
June 28, 2023
The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) has retained McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd. (McIntosh Perry) to complete a Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for the Kashwakamak Lake Dam located in the Township of North Frontenac on the main channel of the Mississippi River.
The Kashwakamak Lake Dam was built more than 100 years ago and is reaching the end of its useful lifespan. The deteriorating condition of the dam necessitates that a decision be made on whether to decommission, rehabilitate or replace the existing dam within the next five years.
Read the complete Notice of Intent here.
Read the KLA’s June 22, 2023 submission here.
Read the MVCA’s response to KLA’s submission here.
We will be providing an update at the KLA Annual General Meeting on Saturday July 8, 9:30 am at the Lion’s Hall in Northbrook. All welcome. Please RSVP to secretary@kashwakamak.ca by June 30 if you’d like to join the BBQ after the meeting. More details here.