Community Update: Update on Construction

 

July 26, 2018 – Parks Canada’s project to replace the Bobs Lake Dam has advanced to the construction phase.

In late June/early July the contractor completed a construction access to the site of the new dam which will be roughly 40m upstream of the existing dam at the outflow of Bobs Lake. Once the construction site and access was completed, the contractor began installing the temporary cofferdam that will allow the construction of the first half of the new dam.

Cofferdams are temporary in-water structures that are used to create dry work spaces in areas that would otherwise be underwater. In this instance, the cofferdam is being built using metal sheet piles that are driven into the bed of the lake. Rock fill is then used to provide additional structure.

Construction Site and Unauthorized Entry

As the dam will be built in two phases, the cofferdam currently under construction will only isolate a portion of the eventual footprint of the new dam. It is anticipated that cofferdam construction will continue into August. Construction Site and Unauthorized Entry The replacement of the Bobs Lake Dam is an important project and there has been tremendous interest amongst residents and visitors to the area. Parks Canada will continue to provide regular updates on progress and photos to meet the desire for information.

Construction sites can be dangerous places without the appropriate safety gear and precautions. For this reason, unauthorized access to the construction site is strictly prohibited and can result in fines, serious injuries, or worse. Parks Canada respectfully asks that all posted signage be respected throughout this important project.

Replacement of the Bobs Lake Dam at Bolingbroke

The replacement of the Bobs Lake Dam is part of Parks Canada’s unprecedented $3 billion dollar investment 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 historic investments will mitigate health and safety risks, halt the loss of nationally significant built heritage and stimulate the economy in communities across the country.

The new dam will not alter the water management strategy for Bobs Lake. Furthermore, throughout the construction of the new dam, plans will accommodate Parks Canada’s water management requirements and residents should not experience any significant change in water levels due to construction.

About Bobs Lake Dam at Bolingbroke

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.

For More Information:

For up-to-date news on infrastructure work along the Rideau Canal, please visit our website: www.pc.gc.ca/rcInfrastructure. If you would like to be added to our community engagement list to receive updates on this project, please e-mail RideauCanal.info@pc.gc.ca and include “Bobs Lake Dam” in the subject heading.