Bulletins

Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site

Community Update: Fenelon Falls Dam Safety Review

Issued: June 18, 2020

Aerial view of Lock 34 Fenelon Falls 

June 18, 2020 – Third-party consultants will be on-site near Parks Canada’s Lock 34 in Fenelon Falls, beginning June 22 for potentially three weeks, to conduct engineering inspections of the dam and surrounding area as a part of a Dam Safety Review. The Parks Canada Agency inspects the dams in its care at regulated intervals as a part of its monitoring and evaluation program.

What’s a Dam Safety Review?

While many types of assessment are carried out on a regular basis by qualified Parks Canada staff, a Dam Safety Review (DSR) is a third-party, comprehensive review and evaluation that identifies improvements that can be made to ensure dams are reliable, functional, and meet current engineering and safety codes and standards.

At the Fenelon Falls dam, many types of investigations will take place. In addition to localized topographic survey around the dam, bathymetric survey (underwater topography), and underwater visual inspection using a robot, some geotechnical work will take place in the form of core sampling. Geotechnical work provides important information about the composition and integrity of soils, bedrock and other materials like concrete, which is used to determine their condition and potentially plan the design of projects and structures.

For more information

For questions or to receive updates about this work, please contact us at Ont.TrentSevern@pc.gc.ca and include “Fenelon Falls dam” in the subject heading.

UPDATE ON COVID -19

Parks Canada is following advice from public health experts and implementing measures to support Canada’s efforts to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and reduce the risks to Canadians, visitors, Parks Canada team members, and contractors working at our places.

  • Starting June 1, 2020, Parks Canada began the process of gradually resuming some operations at certain national parks, national historic sites, historic waterways, and national marine conservation areas. All camping facilities remain closed until at least June 21, 2020. Opening dates, visitor access and services will vary across the country. Parks Canada has only opened places where measures can be implemented to minimize health and safety risks to employees and visitors. Canadians are encouraged to visit parkscanada.gc.ca frequently for information and updates.

  • Parks Canada’s construction projects are considered part of the Agency’s critical services to the public. Scheduled construction activities are proceeding as planned, but are subject to change due to the evolving situation related to COVID-19. Parks Canada will continue to communicate all developments to the public.
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