Community Update: Walleye Spawning Survey

March 27, 2018 –Construction of the new Bobs Lake Dam is currently scheduled to begin in the summer of 2018. In preparation for construction, Parks Canada will be undertaking a walleye spawning survey between Bobs and Christie Lakes along the Tay River over the coming weeks. This survey will help to identify and to provide baseline data about spawning sites for walleye.  

Walleye are a cool water fish found in rivers and lakes throughout Ontario. The health of the walleye population is important to both indigenous and recreational fisheries.  

The individuals assessing walleye spawning sites will be working in the evening hours as walleye are known to be more active at night.  Using high-powered flashlights they will be able count the number of fish present based on the reflection given off by the eyes.  As a result of this work, community members may see individuals with flashlights along the adjacent shorelines during the evening hours. 

Parks Canada has hired North-South Environmental Inc to conduct the walleye spawning survey.  They will be reaching out to private property owners in order to secure access to shorelines and to seek local advice about known spawning grounds.

Habitat surveys are part of Parks Canada’s rigorous environmental assessment and permitting process and will help us to fulfill our commitment to Canadians to protect the natural and cultural heritage of our treasured places.

Replacement of the Bobs Lake Dam at Bolingbroke
Due to poor quality rock at the current dam site, the new dam will be located approximately 40m upstream. This new location is between the site of the 1870s era dam and the current dam built in the 1930s.

Additionally, 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 or requires repair. The design also incorporates a small overflow component that will assist in regulating Bobs Lake when at full summer levels without the need to make dam adjustments. Finally, the deck of the dam will be slightly higher and have improved railings in order to provide operators an additional measure of safety during high water events.

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. 

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.

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 and receive updates on this project, please e-mail RideauCanal.info@pc.gc.ca and include Bobs Lake Dam in the subject heading.