Dam Maintenance in the UTRCA - Part 1(of 2)

Report Identifying High Risk Dams Released

A report entitled "Ontario Dam Safety Guidelines," prepared by a task force working under the auspices of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), was released to the media at the end of February 2000. The purpose of this document was to establish operation, maintenance, monitoring, and review guidelines for impounding structures based on the best contemporary science and technology. Conservation Authorities’ representatives have participated in the development of the report and are presently reviewing it. Their review material was recently reviewed by the Conservation Ontario Policy Committee and will be considered at the upcoming meeting of Conservation Ontario Council on March 27, 2000.

The report deals with dam safety guidelines and, in particular, operation, maintenance, review and emergency planning associated with these structures. It includes a classification criteria as part of an evaluation framework, which includes terms such as "high risk" which would indicate that structural failure could lead to damage to property and/or potential loss of life. The report does not deal with the present condition of any dams in Ontario and the term high risk is not used to indicate that any structures, whether owned and operated by Conservation Authorities or otherwise, are at or near imminent failure. Conservation Authorities have regularly and consistently maintained their dams because they are familiar with the risks and the consequences of failure.

The report will lead toward development of public policy in this area and Conservation Authorities are strong advocates of such a policy. It will no doubt be subject to a consultation process, like other public policy processes and this will happen when the province believes it has comprehensive, effective draft policy that warrants public consultation. One potential outcome from this policy process will be a Dam Safety Program. A program of this type is suggested by the Canadian Dam Association and has been required in a number of provinces.

Dams in the Upper Thames River Watershed - Maintenance

Within the Thames River watershed, three large dams (Fanshawe, Wildwood and Pittock) have been identified as high risk in that if they failed, losses to property and potentially to life would occur. Since this is not considered an acceptable outcome, the UTRCA takes a responsible approach to making sure this infrastructure is properly maintained. The large dams and reservoirs are constructed to prevent losses to life and property but, should they ever fail, losses would occur. For this reason, the UTRCA welcomes public debate around this issue.

Part 2

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