Kaministiquia River System Water Management Plan
Presentation to Thunder Bay RAP Committee January 7, 2015 Water Management Plans
Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act - amended in 2002 • Owners of waterpower facilities required to prepare WMPs
Goal of WMPs Balance environmental, social and economic interests Establish an operating plan for waterpower facilities and control structures (flows and levels) • apply under “normal” conditions • within levels specified in waterpower leases or licences Kaministquia WMP
Formal planning process, including public consultation
Approved in June 2005
Standing Public Advisory Committee
In effect until March 2015* • Recent amendment to LRIA • waiting for direction on renewal • * 2 year extension?
Kaministiquia River System
Kaministiquia River
Dog Lake
Greenwater, Kashabowie, Shebandowan Lakes
Matawin River Kaministiquia River System
Power Generation Stations • Silver Falls GS • Kakabeka Falls GS
Dams on the System • Dog Lake Dam • Shebandowan Lake Dam • Kashabowie Lake Dam • Greenwater Lake Dam • Matawin River Dam Kaministiquia WMP Objectives
1. Minimize flooding risk - protect life & property 2. Provide flows for wastewater assimilation capacity in the lower Kam River 3. Maintain or improve ecological processes & aquatic ecosystem function. Provide suitable flows for sturgeon reproduction 4. Optimize the value of hydroelectric power generation 5. Maintain or improve tourism and recreation opportunities
Main Issues
Sturgeon spawning below Kakabeka Falls
Maintain scenic flow at Kakabeka Falls
Minimum flows downstream of control structures Main Issues
Assimilative Capacity
Move towards a natural flow regime
Stable water levels for cottagers on Dog Lake and Shebandowan Lake How they were addressed?
Sturgeon spawning below Kakabeka Falls • 7 year study to determine impacts of various flows (spill) on sturgeon reproduction
Scenic flow at Kakabeka Falls • no change • 4.25 & 8.5 CMS - daylight hours
Minimum Flows • maintain leakage • more study required How they were addressed? Assimaltive Capacity • maintain 17 CMS in lower Kam River
Stable water levels vs. Natural flow regime
Dog Lake no change
Shebandowan & Kashabowie • slight increase in fluctuations • slightly higher levels Implementation
• Monitor flows and levels
• Established Standing Advisory Committee
• Effectiveness monitoring plan
• Sturgeon study
• Annual reporting