Strengthening dam safety on the Lower Mattagami River
The Smoky Falls Dam Safety Project saw the rehabilitation of the 100 year-old spillway and sluiceway structures on Ontario Power Generation (OPG)’s Smoky Falls Generating Station in northeast Ontario along the Lower Mattagami River.
The Smoky Falls Dam Safety Project took place in conjunction with with the nearby Little Long Dam Safety (LLDS) Project, which is now complete. The LLDS Project has increased the discharge capacity at the eight-gate Adam Creek spillway structure located on the Little Long Reservoir, about 90 kilometers north of Kapuskasing.
Both projects support OPG's continued compliance with provincial dam safety requirements and our commitment to community safety measures in the event of climate change impacts.
Improving climate change resiliency
OPG is working to improve dam safety and help make our hydroelectric operations more resilient to climate change.
A key action in OPG’s Climate Change Plan is adaptation, which includes strengthening the company’s operations and infrastructure to be resilient against climate-related impacts.
OPG is proud of its staff, project contractors, and others who remained committed to ensure the project work met the highest standards of safety and project excellence. This work will ensure that the facility can operate reliably for years to come and continue to strengthen public safety.Zach BrandtSFDS Project Manager
The plan also highlights continued investment in OPG’s hydro operations as an important part of becoming a net-zero carbon company by 2040.
Project progress
The Smoky Falls Dam Safety Project is more than 94% complete. The project serves to replace two sluice gates and permanently close 25 surplus overflow spill bays (East Spillway & Sluiceway and West Spillway & Sluiceway) and either surplus sluice gates/bays that are no longer needed. The project has been ongoing since 2021, with work on the East Spillway, West Spillway and Old Smoky Falls Generating Station now complete. The scope at Old Smoky Falls station included stabilization of the structure. The installation of permanent power connections, along with the electrical house and backup generator, has been completed. These advancements will enable the efficient operation of the sluiceway gates.
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Demobilization activities have also begun, and heavy equipment will be removed from site over the coming months. The worker camp that was set up at the beginning of the project has been decommissioned, with remaining staff relocating to nearby communities for accommodation. The project is expected to be complete by mid-2025.
Neighbours Newsletter - Winter 2025
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 2
Publisher: OPG
Neighbours Newsletter - Winter 2025
- Seed collection workshop
- Environmental flow valve
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 2
Publisher: OPG
Construction underway
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