From TSW – Trent-Severn Waterway Community Update
Drag Lake Dams
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
North Dam Concrete Work Complete – South Dam to be Re-Tendered
August 10th, 2017 – As part of the historic program of investment into the infrastructure supporting the Trent-Severn Waterway, Parks Canada has undertaken a major rehabilitation of the dams at the outflow of Drag Lake. At this location there is a north and a south concrete dam with extended concrete wingwalls branching off from the two structures.
The work to rehabilitate the concrete of the northerly dam and its wingwalls is now complete. As part of the work damaged concrete was chipped away, the dam reformed, and new concrete poured. The wing walls as well as the dam’s face, deck, spillway, and sill are now fully repaired. Additionally, measures were taken to protect the concrete in the spillway to further extend the life of the structure.
Unfortunately, as the damaged concrete was chipped away from the northerly dam it became apparent that the concrete of the structure required significantly more work than originally estimated. As a result, the repairs to the northerly dam required more time and resources than anticipated.
Parks Canada has determined that the approach to the remaining work required on the south dam should be adjusted to incorporate the relevant information gathered during the successful rehabilitation of the north dam.
In order to effectively incorporate this new information, the remaining work on the south dam will be retendered resulting in a pause to on-site work.
It is anticipated that the project will go back out to tender in late summer / early fall and that work will re-commence in the fall of this year. Current estimates would have this second construction phase concluding early in 2018. As some work, such as replanting, is warm weather dependant there would be additional activity at the site in the spring of next year.
Parks Canada appreciates the continued patience of residents and our partners as we take the appropriate steps to conclude this project in a responsible and timely manner.
Through investments in infrastructure, Parks Canada is protecting and preserving our treasured places, while supporting local economies, contributing to growth in the tourism sector, and enhancing the safety of Canada’s heritage sites.
The rehabilitation of the Drag Lake dams are 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.
Drag Lake Dams Rehabilitation Project
The rehabilitation of the Drag Lake dams will entail major concrete repairs to both dams – removing damaged concrete and then resurfacing the structures. A raised walkway will be added to the site linking the two dams. New guard rails will be added to enhance visitor and operator safety and post tension anchors will be installed to provide additional strength.
The Drag Lake dams are surrounded by property that is privately owned. Access across the dam and to the immediate area will be restricted during construction. Following construction the dam will only be accessible with the permission of the neighbouring landowner.
For More Information:
For up-to-date news on infrastructure work along the Trent-Severn Waterway, please visit our website: www.pc.gc.ca/tswInfrastructure