Parks Canada has announced the Little Brother Lake dam in Algonquin Highlands is getting a full replacement, with the year-long project underway.
The federal department said the project is part of an ongoing investment in critical infrastructure along the TrentSevern Waterway (TSW).
“The Little Brother Lake dam is part of the reservoir system that supports waste management operations on the TSW. While the dam is operated only occasionally, it plays an important role during periods of high water and seasonal water management operations,” a media release announcing the project stated.
Parks Canada spokesperson, Joél Anthony Forget, noted recent engineering inspections at the site identified deterioration in the existing century-old concrete dam.
“After assessing options, Parks Canada determined replacing the structure is the most effective long-term solution. The project will ensure the dam continues to support water management operations safely and reliably.”
The dam replacement has been bundled with another project at the Long Lake Dam, with the two estimated at $8.7 million. Construction began Nov. 2 and will continue through 2027.
Sudbury-based GDB Constructeurs has been awarded the contract after a “competitive procurement process,” Forget said.
Work will include the installation of temporary cofferdams and isolation systems; dewatering of the construction area; fish salvage and relocation; demolition and removal of the existing dam; excavation to competent bedrock; construction of a new reinforced concrete gravity dam; installation of a new stoplog operation equipment, a deck and catwalk; and vegetative restoration.
While there was excitement on social media when the announcement dropped Oct. 15, Algonquin Highlands communications co-ordinator, Chad Ingram, said this is a different site to the much-anticipated dam replacement on Big Hawk Lake.
“Little Brother Lake is located further up Hwy. 35, north of Halls Lake towards Dorset,” Ingram said.
Forget said he had no update on the replacement of the Big Hawk Lake dam, which is projected sometime in the next 15 years. Algonquin Highlands council has been hesitant to sign off on an expensive replacement of the Hawk Lake Log Chute until the dam is replaced.
“At this time, we do not have any further information to provide regarding Big Hawk Lake Dam,” Forget said.
