Stay clear, stay safe

At Ontario Power Generation, the safety of the public and our staff is our number one priority.

See how OPG coordinates ongoing water safety campaigns that aim to raise awareness about the dangers around hydroelectric stations and dams through educational resources, community outreach and public service announcements across various forms of media.

Keeping Ontario safe

OPG operates more than 66 hydroelectric stations and over 240 dams on 24 river systems, and most of these facilities are remote controlled.

Water levels and flows near hydro stations and dams can change rapidly and with little or no warning, taking you by surprise. In colder weather, deceptively thin ice can crack and give way beneath you, plunging you into dangerously cold and turbulent waters.

For your safety:

  • Stay well back from the edge of waters or ice above and below hydro facilities
  • Keep outside fences, buoys, booms and barriers when snowmobiling, fishing, boating or swimming
  • Never stand, anchor or tie your boat below a dam, and
  • Always obey all warning signs.
An employee performing a snow survey.

Spring thaw is when our work heats up

We work with nature to predict conditions and manage our river systems for the safety of people and the environment.

Learn more
PFD leanding program.

PFD lending program

We’re a proud sponsor of Ontario Parks’ Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Lending Program. Visit participating parks across Ontario and borrow a life jacket free of charge.

Learn more

Dam safety and emergency response

OPG is proud of its reputation as a world leader in dam safety. Our hydro stations and dams are diligently inspected, assessed, monitored and maintained according to Canadian Dam Association standards.

In our host communities, we work closely with local stakeholders including conservation authorities and provincial agencies on emergency planning, watershed management and flood response.

We meet regularly with these stakeholders and emergency responders to ensure they’re familiar with our facilities and the emergency procedures we would follow in the event of a flood or dam failure. Emergency responders also participate in drills to practice those procedures.

Of note, neither OPG nor its predecessor company Ontario Hydro have ever experienced a dam failure.

Meet Dammy the beaver

Our latest water safety campaign features the harrowing tale of Dammy the Beaver.

An avid angler, Dammy learns firsthand about the dangers of fishing near hydro dams and generating stations. His message to everyone tempted to fish or have fun in these areas is to stay clear, stay safe because your life could be on the line.

Introducing Dammy

See how Dammy stays safe by staying clear.

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