Kaministiquia River System Water Management Plan

Presentation to 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, , Lakes

— Kaministiquia River System

— Power Generation Stations • Silver Falls GS • 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