Home News/Updates Proposed Dams on Petawawa River
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Proposed Dams on Petawawa River
Background

The first site proposed by Xeneca is on the military section of the Petawawa River at Halfmile Rapid, half a kilometer above the public boundary.  The plan is to build a low-level dam to hold off spring run-off.  Water will be diverted to a generator and will re-enter the river prior to the boundary.  This dam will reduce peak spring flows downstream and maintain higher than average river flows through summer.  Xeneca will be required to maintain river levels as directed by Ministry of Natural Resources.

The second site, which Xeneca refers to as Big Eddy, is at the top of Railway Rapids (the CPR bridge in the town of Petawawa) and is not yet designed.  It may include a low level dam above the Railway Rapids. Water will be diverted to a turbine from above Railway Rapid and returned to the river likely below Catwalk.  Xeneca  estimates that approximately half of the river flow would be diverted. This will affect the water flow through Railway Rapids, Lover’s Rapid, Catwalk and the Catwalk swimming area.

Xeneca is proposing to work with various community stakeholders to determine how much water will be diverted and at what time of day.  However, this promises to be very controversial as it will be difficult to get various stakeholders to agree to predetermined water levels.



There are significant public subsidies for “Green” power which give businesses big incentives to move fast.

Local contacts:

Cheryl Gallant, Member of Parliament, Renfrew/Nipissing/Pembroke, 84 Isabella St, Pembroke, ON, K8A 5S5   Tel :613-732-4404   Fax : 613-732-4697   Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Honourable Peter McKay, Minister of National Defence, 509-S Centre Block,
House of Commons. Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6  Tel : 613-992-6022 Fax : 613-992-2337 Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mayor Bob Sweet, Town of Petawawa, 1111 Victoria St, Petawawa, ON,  K8H 3B1
Tel :   613-687-5536.  Fax : 613-687-5973     Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

John Yakabuski, MPP Renfrew/Nipissing/Pembroke, 84 Isabella St, Pembroke, ON
K8A 5S5  Tel : 613-735-6627 Fax : 613-735-6692  Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it