Community Update: Work Ongoing

Construction of Bobs Lake Dam from above

November 14, 2018 – Work on phase one of the replacement of Bobs Lake Dam is progressing and will be ongoing until February 2019. This phase of work includes the construction of approximately two-thirds of the dam structure. The final phase of work will begin in summer 2019 and is expected to be completed in fall 2019.

The contractor has finished the excavation of the bedrock beneath the new dam site. They are now grouting the bedrock foundation to prepare the site for the construction of the new dam structure. The placement of concrete to build the new dam will begin in mid-November.

In late February 2019, the contractor will take a brief break from construction to follow in-water work restrictions to protect fish during their spawning seasons. Once the restrictions have been lifted in July, the contractor will return to work to finish the construction of the dam.

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.

Exposed rock foundation for the new dam

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.parkscanada.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.