Questions & Answers - Whites Portage Dam

On March 22, 2023, the Government of Canada announced over $74 million in federal infrastructure funding to ensure the delivery of priority projects to support critical repairs and upgrades to several locks and dams for six projects along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site (TSW), including the replacement of the Whites Portage Dam on Six Mile Lake.

Parks Canada manages water levels on the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site to achieve a variety of objectives, including navigation, critical mitigation of flooding, and the protection of the environment.

Investments in the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site’s infrastructure are essential for public safety, preserving natural and cultural heritage, ensuring environmental protection and conservation, and providing benefits for visitors, local communities and the nation’s tourism industry.

• When will the project start and how long will it last?

  The contractor will be selected this spring with construction beginning in July. The construction is anticipated to be substantially complete by the fall of 2024 with any outstanding restoration to be completed in the spring of 2025.
• What will the project consist of?

  Whites Portage Dam, located on Whites Falls Road (District Road 34), is the main water management dam for Six Mile Lake and is one of seven owned and operated by Parks Canada in the area. Originally constructed in 1918, the dam regulates the lake’s water level and outflow into Gloucester Pool. The dam presently consists of four sluices with timber stop logs operated by a combination of manual winches and a hydraulic log lifter.
  
  Due to its age and poor condition, the dam cannot be rehabilitated and must be replaced with a new dam that meets today’s safety standards. As such, the proposed project will completely replace the current dam with a new one in the same location and orientation. In addition, a portion of the rock outcrop on Parks Canada-administered lands below the west-side sluices will be removed in order to reduce flooding risk as it currently impedes the discharge capacity of the dam.
• What environmental measures are included in these projects to ensure the conservation of both land and aquatic species?

  Parks Canada recognizes the importance of the health of the freshwater ecosystem that the Trent-Severn Waterway protects. Parks Canada has a responsibility to the species at risk and habitats in the system and to ensure that there are no significant environmental effects as a result of any project under the Impact Assessment Act (2019). Impact assessments are used to manage the impact of infrastructure projects and, when possible, increase ecological gains for site ecosystems.
  
  All Parks Canada projects are subject to impact assessments to ensure appropriate ecological protection measures are in place. Parks Canada’s environmental team is engaged right from the start of each project, carefully reviewing project plans and processes and looking for ways to avoid, reduce or offset a project’s potential to impact our environment.
  
  This includes protecting fish and fish habitat by timing project activities to less sensitive windows; controlling sediment and spills onsite; tracking and protecting species at risk like snakes and turtles; and controlling and remediating contaminated sediment from historical activities.
  
  Under these obligations a Detailed Impact Assessment (DIA) was completed and posted on the impact assessment registry for public comment in January/February 2023.
• Why have all the trees been cut down, and will they be replaced?

  The recent tree and shrub clearing is necessary to create laydown areas and access to the upstream and downstream riparian zones during construction and was kept to the absolute minimum required to do the work. The trees at the site were intentionally cut at the base to preserve the root network (no grubbing), which will be protected during construction and will promote faster regeneration of vegetation post-construction. No rare tree species or species-at-risk were identified at the site. Species were primarily white pine and, to a lesser extent, red oak, black cherry, white ash, white birch, and trembling aspen saplings. The rock barrens are sparsely vegetated with rock spikemoss.
  
  The vegetation impacts were summarized in the Detailed Impact Assessment for the project, which was available for public comment via the registry this past winter. On January 19, 2023, we announced the public comment period for the DIA on the project webpage and followed up with an email to those on the mailing list.
  
  Post-construction re-vegetation is part of the project. Disturbed areas will be supported by additional topsoil if required, while other areas may be mulched to promote natural regeneration and avoid introducing unwanted weeds from source areas.
• During the construction period, what impacts will the Whites Portage Dam project cause on the local community and visitors, especially during the peak season when the region is much busier? How does Parks Canada ensure this information is shared publicly?

  Investments in infrastructure such as the Whites Portage Dam will ensure the quality and reliability of visitor facilities and permit Canadians to continue to connect with nature. Parks Canada wants to ensure the best possible experience for visitors to the area. Parks Canada will make every effort to minimize disruptions to visitors and businesses during construction, keeping in mind that public safety is always a top priority.
  
  As well, Parks Canada engages with Indigenous communities, partners, stakeholders, local communities and waterway users to ensure ongoing and regular communications regarding infrastructure projects. Impacted stakeholders are updated as information becomes available. In February 2023, Parks Canada presented information about several projects at an Open House for local community members and stakeholders. Open House sessions are a common way Parks Canada engages with the public, providing a forum for open dialogue about future work.
  
  The Parks Canada-administered lands around the Whites Portage Dam, including Whites Falls, will be closed to the public for the duration of construction. Although Parks Canada recognizes the popularity of the dam site and particularly Whites Falls, it is necessary to temporarily close the site to the public to ensure the safety of the workers and the public alike. Parks Canada anticipates that the site will re-open to the public in 2025.
  
  Updates on the project will be released as they become available, and interested individuals are invited to visit our website at parks.canada.ca/tswSevernGravenhurst for the latest information. To sign up for email updates about this project, please contact us at trentsevern@pc.gc.ca and include the project name “Whites Portage Dam” in the subject heading.
• Will you be respecting the historic look of the dam?

  Parks Canada remains committed to the conservation of infrastructure along the Trent-Severn Waterway so that it can be enjoyed by future generations. The restoration and rehabilitation of assets along the Trent-Severn Waterway presents the unique challenge of rehabilitating these structures with modern features and standards while maintaining and respecting the heritage character. As with all infrastructure projects, Parks Canada carefully considers the best and most appropriate methods and practices to preserve the unique character-defining elements of these structures.
  
  Like many of the dam replacement projects undertaken by Parks Canada in recent years, many character-defining elements of the current dam will be replicated on the new dam, including timber stoplogs, a hydraulic log lifer, the original manual crab winches, the signature rounded dam piers, and more.
• Will White’s Falls Road be closed for construction?

  White’s Falls Road (District Road 34) will remain open during the construction, although temporary traffic control or flag persons may be required at certain times throughout the project on District Road 34 near the dam; at no time will emergency or municipal services be impeded. We remain in contact with local municipal elected officials and staff to inform them of the work taking place, and updates will be posted as they become available.
• Will the water levels remain unchanged on Six Mile Lake and Gloucester Pool?

  All efforts will be undertaken to maintain a similar flow regime throughout the project, including lake levels. The project will use a phased approach to achieve this which will ensure a consistent water management strategy.
• What will the noise levels be like, and will there be any rock blasting?

  Every attempt is made to adhere to local noise bylaws during construction. If work is required beyond the limits of the bylaw, the public will be notified via an update on the website and by direct email. Sometimes we permit work outside of normal hours (depending on what noise-generating activities are proposed) and on weekends to maintain schedules and hit critical milestones. Most of the demolition and rock removal will be carried out mechanically, although some light blasting (expansion cartridges) may be required above the water line depending on the geological conditions encountered.
• Whites Falls is a significant attraction during the summer months for both residents and tourists. Will the Falls change during and after construction?

  The proposed project's scope is to completely replace the current dam with a new one in the same location and orientation. This work is expected to begin in early 2023 and end in 2025. In addition, a portion of the rock outcrop above the normal summer water level on Parks Canada-administered lands below the west-side sluices will be removed in order to reduce flooding risk as it currently impedes the discharge capacity of the dam.
  
  The Parks Canada-administered lands around the Whites Portage Dam, including Whites Falls, will be closed to the public for the duration of construction. Although Parks Canada recognizes the popularity of the dam site and particularly Whites Falls, it is necessary to temporarily close the site to the public to ensure safety of the workers and the public alike. Parks Canada anticipates that the site will re-open to the public in 2025. Given that this area is a popular attraction for residents and visitors alike, signage will be posted throughout the construction period and afterwards, informing the public to be aware of changes to the site.
• Where can I find more information or sign up for updates?

  To find up-to-date news about this or other infrastructure projects in your area, please visit parks.canada.ca/tswSevernGravenhurst. To sign up for email updates about this project, please contact us at trentsevern@pc.gc.ca and include the project name “Whites Portage Dam” in the subject heading.