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Work begins on Latchford Dam replacement

Work is now underway on the replacement of the water-control dam in Latchford. The announcement was made in 2012, but construction on the $25.7-million project just began this past spring. Montreal firms Dessau Inc. and Hydrosys Experts-Conseils Inc.
Latchford-Dam_Cropped
Work is underway on the $25.7-million construction of a new water-control dam at Latchford.

Work is now underway on the replacement of the water-control dam in Latchford.

The announcement was made in 2012, but construction on the $25.7-million project just began this past spring. Montreal firms Dessau Inc. and Hydrosys Experts-Conseils Inc. were jointly awarded the $1.2-million design contract in 2012, while Construction demathieu & bard of Saint-Jérome, Que., was awarded the $25.7-million construction contract in 2014.

Built in 1913 on the Montreal River, the dam controls the water levels on Bay Lake, and is comprised of 11 sluiceways, 10 piers and two abutments.

The federal government deemed the Latchford Dam structurally safe, but approved the replacement as it neared the end of its useful life. Replacing the structure will bring it in line with the Canadian Dam Association guidelines.

The scope of the work, which involves the construction of a new dam adjacent to the existing structure, is extensive. The new structure will have 14 gates equipped with stoplogs to control water levels, a mechanical gate for more precise water control, a deck open to the public, and access and parking areas on both banks. The existing dam will then be removed.

Construction began in April and is scheduled to be complete by late 2016.

Anticipation for the project has been building, and Latchford Mayor George Lefebvre is eager to see work get started.

“It’s a very significant project,” Lefebvre said. “It’s nice to see something positive in the community.”

But he has concerns, which include the contract being awarded to a Quebec-based company. A project of such magnitude could have significant benefits for his community of fewer than 400 people, but there’s been very little payoff.

“There are minimal job opportunities for the residents,” he said, noting local businesses aren’t seeing much benefit either.

The language barrier has also proved challenging for the largely English-speaking community, which is trying to stay abreast of the work taking place.

Lefebvre has further concerns about the timeline and short seasonal construction window. He worries the work can’t get done within the timeframe outlined by Ottawa.

Still, some initial issues have been resolved. The town negotiated a wider deck for the dam’s surface which will now allow for fishing, four-wheeling and sledding, along with access for emergency vehicles.

There may also be future benefits for the town and the surrounding communities of Coleman Township, Temagami First Nation and Timiskaming First Nation, which are working together to develop a preliminary plan and conceptual design for the operation of the Latchford Generating Station.

FedNor has invested $44,100 for a feasibility study for the partners to own and operate a 500-kilowatt hydro-generating station at the dam, which could generate significant revenue for the partners.

The power station idea came up in the 1980s, but the feds wanted to install low-head turbines, which the town’s research showed wouldn’t work.

The hope now is that the town’s preferred technology — an Almonte-made turbine — can be installed and the partners can put their 30-year old plan into place.