Dams create changing water levels that can kill
The safety of the public and our staff is our number one priority. This includes making sure people know about the dangers around our hydro stations and dams, where within seconds water levels can rise, become turbulent, and create a life-threatening situation.
Learn more about how you can keep yourself, your friends, and family safe.
The dangers are real
Boating or fishing near a dam can put your life in danger.
Your life is on the line
In Ontario, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) operates 66 hydroelectric stations and 241 dams on 24 river systems. And in the U.S., we operate more than 80 hydroelectric stations through our Eagle Creek Renewable Energy subsidiary. At each of these facilities, you are risking your life if you ignore the warning signs and decide to cross the line.
Simply put: Dams can create currents that can kill.
Water levels and flows near hydro stations and dams can change rapidly and with little to no warning. In addition, most of our facilities are remotely controlled, so there’s nobody there to warn you of danger. That means if you suddenly find yourself in turbulent waters, it might be too late.
So, if you’re a boater, angler, or just a recreational enthusiast, please obey the multiple danger signs around OPG’s hydro stations, maintain distance from booms, buoys, and barriers marking the danger zone, and stay clear to stay safe.
Did you know?
In cold weather, ice forming near dams is deceptively thin and can give way beneath you, plunging you into dangerously cold and turbulent waters.
Dry or calm riverbeds below dams may look safe but they can quickly change into rapidly flowing waterways with dangerous currents.
Deliberately disregarding safety measures around hydro stations and dams puts your own life at risk as well as the lives of first responders who are called to save you. Please don’t forget that and respect the measures in place for your safety.Paul SeguinSenior Vice President, Renewable Generation
For your safety...
Stay back
from waters above or below hydro facilities!
Keep out
from areas with fences, buoys, booms and barriers!
Never
stand, anchor or tie your boat below a dam!
Always
obey all warning signs!
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.
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