Bobs Lake Dam Rehabilitation

Replacement of Bobs Lake Dam

Bobs Lake Dam in the community of Bolingbroke is now being replaced with a new concrete dam that meets current engineering safety codes and standards. This new dam will optimize water management capabilities for Bobs Lake, one of the main reservoir lakes for the Tay River.

Work began in July 2018, and is being completed in two phases. The first phase included excavation, bedrock foundation grouting and the placement of some of the dam concrete. In July 2019, the second phase will begin. This phase will include the completion of the remainder of the dam, site restoration and the installation of public safety features. The dam is expected to be completed in fall 2019.

Due to poor quality rock at the old dam site, the new dam is being constructed approximately 40 metres upstream. A second spillway will be added to the dam in order to meet current Canadian Dam Association safety guidelines. This additional spillway will act as a redundancy in case one spillway is ever blocked. 

The new dam will not alter the water management strategy for Bobs Lake.

Parks Canada is investing an unprecedented $3 billion dollars over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. These investments represent the largest federal infrastructure plan in the history of Parks Canada.

Brief History of the Bobs Lake Dam

Dams have existed on Bobs Lake at Bolingbroke since at least 1821. In 1870 the dam site was purchased by the Government of Canada in order to enhance the size of the reservoir for the Northern Sector of the Rideau Canal. In 1871 the dam was significantly increased in size and the volume of water in Bobs Lake was raised considerably. The current dam has been in place since 1930 and has seen several major repairs over the course of its operation.

Communications

June 3, 2019- Community Update: Phase two to begin in July 
February 6, 2019- Community Update: Phase one complete
November 14, 2018- Community Update: Work Ongoing
August 30, 2018- Community Update: Update on Construction
July 26, 2018- Community Update: Update on Construction
June 13, 2018- Community Update: Update on Construction
May 11, 2018- Community Update: Contract Awarded
March 27, 2018- Community Update: Walleye Spawning Survey
March 15, 2018- Community Update: Project out to tender
July 4, 2017 - Community Update: Bobs Lake Dam at Bolingbroke