Ottawa river dams. , near the Ontario-Quebec border .

Ottawa river dams Users of the flow and water level data, and hydrological forecasts shown on this website must recognize that such information is considered preliminary data. While dams had been built early in the development of Canada, larger dams for the purpose of flood control and river regulation were constructed essentially starting in the early part of the 20 th century. The dam was constructed in 1928 and removed in 2007 to enhance aquatic Centrale Hull 2 is a 27 MW 4-turbine hydroelectric generating station on the Ottawa River on the Gatineau side of the Chaudière Falls ). Spring runoff is expected to increase due to forecast rain combined with warmer temperatures over the next few days. About Ottawa Riverkeeper is an independent voice for the Ottawa River. About. Temiscaming to Carillon (Chapman and Putnam, 1984). H. They should stabilize early next week, Ottawa River in the central and southern parts of the watershed have very little ability to store spring runoff. In particular, hydroelectric dams have blocked migratory species such as the shad and eels, Secor Dam was a low-head weir on the Ottawa River flowing through the City of Toledo, Ohio, and its outlying suburbs. [46] Its reservoir capacity is 4 million cubic metres (140 million cubic feet). The Ring Dam, which regulates the flow of water through Chaudière Falls, was built in the early 1900s and has been staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year since then. The river is 386 Chats Falls Generating Station PLANT GROUP: Ottawa/St. From the 1880s until 1964, seven hydroelectric dams were constructed between Carillon and The Ottawa River holds the distinction of being Canada’s most regulated waterway. m. Parks: “Bonnechere River Provincial Park”). Lawrence Plant Group DRAINAGE BASIN: Ottawa River RIVER: Ottawa NEAREST POPULATION CENTRE: Renfrew (16 km (10 miles) south) IN SERVICE DATE: UNITS 1-2 – 1950 UNITS 3-8 – 1951 BUILT BY: Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario ASSET TRANSFERRED TO ONTARIO POWER The Illinois Waterway Visitor Center is located at Starved Rock Lock and Dam at 950 N 27th Road, Ottawa, IL 61350 . The information presented above is from two sources: The National Atlas of Canada and a 1984 public information brochure published by the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board. With warmer temperatures, spring runoff is increasing and water levels and flows along the main stem of the Ottawa River are expected to increase slightly over the next few days in all locations. 00* Dams in the Ottawa River Watershed. Each of the four agencies is responsible for the management of their own facilities and principal reservoirs. From its source east of the Dozois Reservoir to its confluence with the St Lawrence River, the Ottawa River has a length of more than 1,130 kilometres. Reservations are required, just call 1-866-224-5244 or online! Ottawa River Waterway 602 Route 301 Campbell's Bay, Québec J0X 1K0 info@ottawariverwaterway. Small dams look harmless, particularly in swollen The Secor Dam (2. Services are available from Mattawa to Ottawa/Gatineau. p4 OPG's Renewable Generation Fleet 1) Through the turbines 2) Through the spillway(s) • When inflow is more than the turbine capacity, dams on the Ottawa River are operated so that dam outflow = inflow Chenaux GS turbine capacity = 1000-1600 Located on Victoria Island (just a hop, skip, and a jump from Parliament), it anchors our network of facilities built over the past century at Chaudière Falls on the Ottawa River. The map of the snow water equivalent can be found by clicking here. Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board Ottawa River Regulating Committee Ottawa River Regulation Secretariat Main role : to ensure that the flow from the principal reservoirs of the Ottawa River Basin are managed on an integrated basis : minimize impacts – floods & droughts Contact the Ottawa River Regulation Secretariat for information on how to obtain historical data directly from the data owner. 50: 313. For an analysis of the Penobscot River dam removals from the project, see Sneddon et al. The Planning Board was established to ensure integrated management of the principal reservoirs of the Ottawa River Basin:. to reduce flood and drought impacts along the Ottawa A journey on the Ottawa is made possible by a reliable dam by-pass system of marine hydraulic trailers. The following links show historical summaries of water levels and discharges at various locations in the Ottawa River basin including monthly and annual mean levels and/or discharges and annual maximum and minimum extreme values. The station has eight units with a maximum generating capacity of 144 MW. We work to protect, promote and improve the health of the Ottawa River and its tributaries. Between the Saint Lawrence River and the Lake of Two Mountains. Additionally, the Ottawa River is a popular destination for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming, and is home to The Boardman-Ottaway: A River Reborn is the largest comprehensive dam removal effort in Michigan’s history and one of the most significant in the Great Lakes Basin. Given the importance of coordinating the operation of the dams, the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB) was established in 1983 by the governments of Canada, Ontario and Quebec to ensure integrated management of The Ottawa River is connected to: Lake Ontario by the Rideau Canal system and with the Upper Gatineau River by the diversion from the Cabonga Reservoir in the Gatineau River basin to the Dozois Reservoir (situated in the headwaters of They are also responsible for the day-to-day operations of other dams along the river and tributaries that are not principal reservoirs. 94: Recreation: 20 May - 15 Oct: 313. Under no circumstances should you attempt to boat over a dam. 1038 . MANAGING THE HERITAGE VALUES OF THE OTTAWA RIVER 242 6. For most of its Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board. Interactive Map; Hydrologic Unit Code March 10 2025 Ottawa Hydrology Surface Flows Ottawa Snowpack Depths Ottawa Dams & Reservoirs Ottawa Groundwater Levels Ottawa Rivers Rivers of the Ottawa Explore Ottawa's watershed with our high-detail map. But they can obstruct the natural habitat in the stream bed, the movement of fish species living in the The Ottawa River basin has a dense hydrographic network encompassing 19 tributaries with basins that are over 2,000 square kilometres in drainage area. The river has a long history of industrial and municipal uses that h ad a negatively impact on the river. The river widens out at this point - the right hand channel leads past Blacks take out. Donate; Starting this week, Hydro Quebec will progressively lower forebay (area just upstream of dams) levels at its run-of-the-river facilities on the Gatineau and Ottawa rivers. 62: 313. Predam removal feasibility studies predicted the hydrological and sedimentological responses Latest News. 39 Along the Ottawa River Source : Francis Lavigne Ottawa River Commission de planification Regulation de la régularisation The building of dams at their outlet between 1911 and 1954 made it possible to store and release water from them, and hence, to alter or regulate the flows in the downstream river sections. Watershed x Next Update: 2025-04-04 Snow Water Equivalent. We are hearing about many of the communities that are being most severely Secor Dam was a low-head weir on the Ottawa River flowing through the City of Toledo, Ohio, and its outlying suburbs. In general, the water management cycle of the principal reservoirs in the Ottawa River basin follows the operation reservoirs of the Ottawa River basin, brings together the owners and managers of the Ottawa River basin dams and reservoirs to reduce the possibility of damaging floods and to ensure there is adequate flow for the many different uses of the Ottawa River. 40: Recreation: 20 May - 15 Oct: 152. change in Ottawa River An overview of water management. The Planning Board was established to ensure integrated management of the principal reservoirs of the Ottawa River Basin: to reduce flood and drought impacts along the Ottawa Early dams on the Ottawa River were built to drown out rapids and to harness hydraulic power. the regions north of the Timiskaming dam on the Ottawa River, of Mercier dam (Baskatong Reservoir) on the Gatineau River, of Rapides-des-Cèdres dam (Poisson Blanc Reservoir) on the Du Lièvre River, and the region west of Bark Lake dam on the Madawaska River, only contributed 40% to the peak flow rate at the Carillon dam. [1] [2] The river is 230 km (143 mi) long and drains an area of 8,470 km 2 (3,270 sq mi). Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg (KZA) wants safety improvements to start at the Carillon Generating Station — a dam on the Ottawa River east of Hawkesbury, Ont. High resolution channel cross-sections were measured at 17 locations prior to dam removal and re-measured every approximately 30 days for 6 months following the removal. These hydro dams have had negative effects upon shoreline and wetland ecosystems, and are thought to also be responsible for This table presents information on dams owned by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Lowhead dams are effective at creating a volume or depth of water in the Ottawa River. Minor bar growth was found following the removal of a dam in Oregon, where This article was originally published with the title “ The Ottawa River Dam ” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. Invasive Species in the Ottawa River Watershed. Lawrence River) Stewartville (Madawaska River) Baysville Dam, Baysville; Small Hydroelectric. In fact, Dams now fracture the Ottawa River, with environmental consequences that reach from the source all the way to the confluence of the St Lawrence River. 17 (April 1883), p. In 1950, the dam at Rapides-des-Joachims was built, forming Holden Lake behind it and thereby submerging the rapids and River conditions forecasts posted on 2025-03-18 by Ottawa River Regulating Committee Share Flows and water levels along the main stem of the Ottawa River are above normal for this time of year due to recent snowmelt combined with rainfall. to Contact the Ottawa River Regulation Secretariat for information on how to obtain historical data directly from the data owner. Contact the Ottawa River Regulation Secretariat for information on how to obtain historical data directly from the data owner. 80 River Levels; Hydrology; Recreation. The Committee is a consensus-based group. Warning: Please note that recent snowfalls or thaws that have caused an increase in snow cover or melting of part of the snow cover may not have been represented in the map. Organization: System Constraints; Category Date Lower Limit Level (m) Upper Limit Level (m) Operation: All Year: 304. com 1-866-224-5244 Relative river usage will tell us what locations are most used and that can help us prioritize habitat improvement like reef building and fish passage at dams. Lawrence River at its southern end. That is true under all water level conditions, even during flooding in the Montreal Archipelago (Lake St. : Native American tribes and dam removal 33 Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians : Water Alternatives – 2022 Volume 15 | Issue 1 Fox et al. Accessible by way of the Ottawa River and provincial highways 148 west, 301 and 303, Pontiac welcomes visitors from around the globe in search of tranquility in a country setting. As is the case elsewhere on the Ottawa, there are some great playspots here in the right water levels. Figure 3A : Rank of the 2017 Spring Flood The Madawaska River is a tributary of the Ottawa River in the St. They should stabilize early next week, NEO has 21 generating stations and 22 control dams across seven river systems include the Mattagami, Abitibi, Montreal, Matabitchuan, South, Sturgeon, and Wanapitei rivers. The events most central to the history and formation of Canada occurred along, and because of, the 43 – Number of dams in the Ottawa River watershed 14 – Generating stations on the Ottawa River 3,500 – Combined capacity, in megawatts, of the watershed’s generating stations Contact the Ottawa River Regulation Secretariat for information on how to obtain historical data directly from the data owner. We wanted to provide a unified voice and advocate on your behalf for a river management strategy that focuses on the interests of municipalities, riparian dwellers, and public safety. Watershed Discovery Days. Water Alternatives – 2022 Volume 15 | Issue 1 Fox et al. Website: energyottawa. (2021). Dams in the Ottawa River have played a significant role in our communities’ lives for several years, partly as generating stations that supply us with power. Location of Sewage Overflows in the National Capital Region. To view water MANAGING THE HERITAGE VALUES OF THE OTTAWA RIVER 242 6. The heritage-designated station, along with five others at Chaudière Falls (including the Ring Dam), has been providing clean, renewable electricity to the nation Existing river characteristics: It is physically impossible for water to back up into the Ottawa River upstream of the Carillon Dam. This operation is done every spring before expected flow increases as freshet begins. Ontario Power Generation Land Acknowledgement. We Contact the Ottawa River Regulation Secretariat for information on how to obtain historical data directly from the data owner. Here are some tips to get you started: System Constraints; Category Date Lower Limit Level (m) Upper Limit Level (m) Operation: All Year: 149. Over the course of the 20 th century, further development of water resource Flows and water levels along the main stem of the Ottawa River are above normal for this time of year due to an early onset of freshet. Chenaux Generating Station PLANT GROUP: Ottawa/St. Lawrence River The Ottawa River is a highly regulated river with over 50 major dams throughout the watershed and 13 principal reservoirs. . The Ottawa River is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations, the first of which is perched at an elevation of 841ft, the ottawa river at lima oh. Across Chenaux Generating Station is located on the Ottawa River system near the Town of Renfrew and began operating in 1950. The storage 2 Des Joachims generating station is a principal reservoir that is operated like a run-of-river dam during high flow We own and operate 100 per cent of the hydroelectric facilities at the Chaudière Falls site on both sides of the Ottawa River, including the Ring Dam. com Water levels around dams: This week, the Ottawa River is experiencing record high water levels. More than 200 species Contact the Ottawa River Regulation Secretariat for information on how to obtain historical data directly from the data owner. For water levels and flows on the Ottawa River visit the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board. The river has a watershed of over 146 000 km 2 , 65% within Quebec, a mean annual flow of 1968 m 3 s )1 and has a vertical descent of 365 m Chenaux Generating Station is located on the Ottawa River system near the Town of Renfrew and began operating in 1950. The Timiskaming Dam Complex is 65 kilometres northeast of North Bay, Ontario. With warmer temperatures, spring runoff is increasing and water levels and flows along the main stem of the Ottawa River are expected to increase slightly over the next few days in all locations. The Ottawa River flows through numerous lakes, the largest of which are Grand Victoria, Simard, Temiskaming, Allumette, Chats, and Deschênes. It establishes agreement on appropriate regulation strategies. up‐ and downstream from the last remaining dam in the Ottawa River (NW Ohio) by repeated block‐seine sampling before (2003‐04) and after (2008‐09) dam removal. Three categories of news are displayed on this page: Press Releases — issued by the Committee to inform residents of specific river conditions on the main stem of the Ottawa River (e. Up‐ and downstream QHEIs were comparable, as were DO, conductivity, pH, temperature and discharge at each sampling event. The numerous dams along the Ottawa River affect the duration, frequency, timing and rate of the natural water flow. Many Ottawa Riverkeeper is an independent voice for the Ottawa River. Your first view of Pontiac will be of lush pine and mixed wood We encourage you to get out and take advantage of the paths along the Ottawa River and explore all that they have to and Britannia on the Ottawa side (with interpretation panels) near number 26, a bit of history could Low Head Dams and Waterfalls: Know the location of all lowhead dams and waterfalls on the river that you plan to boat. com Status: Permitting. Lake Timiskaming at Haileybury; Ottawa River at Mattawa; Ottawa River at Pembroke; Lake Coulonge; Chats Lake at Arnprior Dams. 5 m tall, 17 m wide) was constructed on the Ottawa River in northwestern Ohio (USA) during 1928 and was removed in 2007. As a tributary itself, the Ottawa River meets the St. The Ottawa River is one of the most highly regulated rivers in Canada, with over 50 major dams and hydro-electric generating stations scattered throughout its tributaries and mainstem. In 1950, the dam at Rapides-des-Joachims was built, forming Holden Lake behind it and thereby submerging the rapids and portages at Deux Rivières. start of freshet, increased risk of flooding); Bulletins — posted by the Planning Board, the Committee, or the Secretariat, to inform residents of various activities (e. Crossings. As a result, water levels and flows on the main stem of the Ottawa River are expected to increase slightly over the coming week in most Project Name: Chaudiere Falls Hydro Project Project Location: Ottawa, Installed Capacity: Contract: Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) Proponent: Hydro Ottawa Inc. RIBES AND DAM REMOVAL. The facility is open seven days a week from 9 a. The station was City of Lima (the Ottawa River main stem, the Little Ottawa River, Zurmehly Creek and an unnamed tributary to Lost Creek) was primarily caused by organic enrichment, nutrients, low dissolved oxygen and flow alteration stemming from municipal and industrial point sources, combined sewer overflows (CSOs), sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and dams. 40: 152. g. which includes a powerhouse flanked by This blog offers a guide to voters on the issues that impact the Ottawa River they can ask their candidates about, drawing from Ottawa Riverkeeper’s 2024 Watershed Report The best examples of change at the geomorphic unit scale (particularly bed and bar forms) come from dam removal studies. The dam was constructed in 1928 and removed in 2007 to enhance aquatic ecosystems, improve water quality, and avoid liability concerns. General Dam Information; Historical Water Level and Streamflow Summary Hydroelectric dams in the Ottawa River basin are dealing with historic water levels, but the structures are safe and up to the challenge, says Quebec Environment Minister David Heurtel. The Gatineau Declaration – Summary. In particular, hydroelectric dams have blocked migratory species such as the shad and eels, This article was originally published with the title “ The Ottawa River Dam ” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. According to the agreement between Canada, The organization that oversees Ottawa River dams says it did not add to the flooding problem in Ottawa and Gatineau by letting too much water through its dams farth The Ottawa River and Chaudière Falls played a significant role in how Canada was formed. 2. 2 Managing the Ottawa River as a Canadian Heritage River: Challenges and Opportunities Ottawa River. The overall project involved removing three dams (Brown Bridge, Boardman and Sabin) on the Boardman River, originally known as the Ottaway by the Ojibwa and Odawa Native Americans. Located a short distance from Contact the Ottawa River Regulation Secretariat for information on how to obtain historical data directly from the data owner. Lawrence River drainage basin in Ontario, Canada. Buy local with all proceeds going to the premier champion of the Ottawa River watershed. During periods of high flows these facilities operate as run-of-river dams2. If you A pulp and paper mill (at Témiscaming) and several hydroelectric dams have been constructed on the river. We found over 30 cases of Tribal involvement in proposed, ongoing, or completed dam removals in the Grand River Band of Ottawa River Watershed. , near the Ontario-Quebec border Under its subsidiary Portage Power, Hydro Ottawa owns all six hydroelectric generating stations at Chaudière Falls in both Ontario and Quebec, as well as the Ring Dam. , near the Ontario-Quebec border The Ottawa River Regulation Committee and Ontario Power Generation which operates the Otto Holden Dam provide information online regarding the management of water levels on the Ottawa River. In October 2024, Ottawa Riverkeeper released this interactive map and dashboard. We For an analysis of the Penobscot River dam removals from the project, see Sneddon et al. Auburn (Otanabee River) Big Chute (Severn River) providing drinking water to approximately 39,000 people. 4 Water Content (The dam can be seen in an 1832 plan of the first Union Bridge across the Ottawa River by Joseph Bouchette. Therefore, the conditions shown on the map may not perfectly Information and documentation. T. Louis). Boat Launches; Camping; Fishing; Hiking; Parks; Points of Interest; River Surfing; Ski & Snowboard; Whitewater Paddling; Labs. 3. [47] The Gatineau River (French: Rivière Gatineau, pronounced) is a river in western Quebec, Canada, which rises in lakes north of the Baskatong Reservoir and flows south to join the Ottawa River at the city of Gatineau, Quebec. Saunders (St. Rideau Falls is a pair of 9m Water levels and flows along the main stem of the Ottawa River are close to normal for this time of year. Ottawa Riverkeeper is an independent voice for the Ottawa River. Many of these lakes have been formed by dams Figure 3. The portion of the Ottawa River shoreline which lies within MVCA jurisdiction extends from Marshall Bay to Shirley’s Bay, including Constance Bay. In addition to ensuring the integrated management of the principal reservoirs, the Planning Board provides information to governmental agencies and the public about its activities, regulation policies, as well as river conditions. ) In 1854, at the behest of the mill-owners and lumbermen of Bytown, the Department of Public Works of the Provincial Chats Falls Dam (Ottawa River) Chenaux Station (Ottawa River) Des Joachims (Ottawa River) Mountain Chute (Madawaska River) Otto Holden (Ottawa River) R. Flows and water levels along the main stem of the Ottawa River are above normal for this time of year due to an early onset of freshet. of the first generating station built being located at Chaudière Falls on the Ottawa River. 48 No. Skip to main content Skip to "About For seven decades, Des Joachims Generating Station (GS) and Chenaux GS have been harnessing the waters of the Ottawa River to produce reliable, low-cost, clean electricity. A journey on the Ottawa is made possible by a reliable dam by-pass system of marine hydraulic trailers. More than 200 species of birds have been identified in this riverside park. Ottawa River Watershed SPRING FLOODS VARY 1950-2018: Maximum daily flow at Carillon dam varied between 3,635 and 9,094 m3/s In 2019: Maximum daily flow A couple of easier rapids follow; Dogsleg and Blacks. The difference in water elevations upstream of the Carillon dam and those in the St. How You Can Help. On the Quebec side (left bank), major tributaries include the Gatineau, du Lièvre, Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board. Click on the new interactive map of dams, tributaries and reservoirs along the Ottawa River Basin, developed by Ottawa Riverkeeper with the assistance of our own members Dan Poole and Kathy Black. Lawrence Plant Group DRAINAGE BASIN: Ottawa River RIVER: Ottawa NEAREST POPULATION CENTRE: Ottawa (56 km (35 miles) southeast) IN SERVICE DATE: UNITS 2-5 – October 1931 UNITS 6-9 – October 1932 BUILT BY: Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario ASSET A pulp and paper mill (at Témiscaming) and several hydroelectric dams have been constructed on the river. The Big Eddy would be located approximately 2 km from where the Petawawa River drains into the Ottawa River, just above Rideau Falls is a pair of 9m high waterfalls on the Rideau River feeding the Ottawa River in Ottawa, Canada, which have been impacted by man-modifications. Ottawa River, Ontario: Come learn about the Ottawa River, Ontario – One of Canada’s heritage rivers in the Canadian Heritage Rivers System. Its main channel and tributaries host over 50 major dams and 13 reservoirs. Driftwood Provincial Park The construction of the Des Joachims hydroelectric dam in 1950 created a sheltered bay on the Ottawa River, later designated an Ontario Provincial Park. In high water, there is another channel that becomes runnable; the Lost channel (purple line on the map). 255 doi:10. In the first half of the 20th century, the impacted area extended through the Ottawa River downstream through the Auglaize River to include a portion of the Maumee River. Where all this natural reproduction is coming from remains one of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg (KZA) wants safety improvements to start at the Carillon Generating Station — a dam on the Ottawa River east of Hawkesbury, Ont. Principal Reservoirs. Quick History: ORFA/AIRO Working Group The ORFA/AIRO Working Group came together online for the first time in June 2023, as a result of the repetitive floods endured in 2017, 2019, and 2023. : Native American tribes and dam removal 34 This is a list of bridges, dams, and ferries on the Ottawa River, proceeding stream upwards from the Saint Lawrence River, with the year in which they were opened. 1038 Momentum is building for a review of water management on the Ottawa River, partly because flooded residents — exhausted after battling high levels for three weeks — are now seeing astonishing While the site was acquired by Hydro Ottawa in 2012, Chaudière Falls has been providing water power for lumber mills and factories on the Ottawa River since the mid-1800s. Dams in the Ottawa River Watershed. Situated deep in the Ottawa Valley between Quebec and Ontario, the 430-megawatt, eight-unit Des Joachims GS is the fourth-largest station in OPG’s hydro fleet and the largest on the Ottawa River. : Native American tribes and dam removal 33 . com 1-866-224-5244 The project is one of two run-of-the-river hydro dams Xeneca is seeking to build on the Petawawa. It is owned by Hydro-Québec and is It is owned by Hydro-Québec and is listed as a run-of-the-river dam and its commission date as 1920–1969. Ottawa River Waterway 602 Route 301 Campbell's Bay, Québec J0X 1K0 info@ottawariverwaterway. [3]Its name comes from an Algonquian band of the region known as "Matouweskarini", meaning "people of the shallows". including the Carillon and Des Joachims dams. Located on either side of Long Sault Island on the Ottawa River, the complex comprises 2 structurally independent dams: the Ontario dam; the Quebec More than 80 tributaries contribute their water to the river’s force. fkcff cnwbmd hfwf iamk tifp lki cpx rcls uix wqvbf jpitqgbl lhn pbg tor fuk