Penstock #4 Replacement, Jones Falls Generating Station, Rideau Canal

Jones Falls Generating Station is located at 60 Stone Arch Dam Lane, on a portion of the Jones Falls lockstation property that is licensed from Parks Canada to EO Generation LP (Portage Power). Although privately owned and operated, Jones Falls Generating Station is an important part of the Rideau Canal water management system and helps to manage upstream water levels during the high flow periods.

The generating station intake currently consists of three wood stave penstocks that convey water to the powerhouse. A penstock inspection in October 2023 identified significant issues with Pipe 4 including major leakage and fractures in the wood. Pipe 4 was immediately decommissioned and taken out of service. Pipe 4 is approximately 115 m long and 2.2 m in diameter.

The project involves removing and replacing Pipe 4 while keeping Pipes 2 and 3 in service. Minor regrading is proposed to be completed around the penstocks to improve drainage, and some roadworks are required to accommodate the construction vehicles and equipment. Pipe 4 will likely be replaced with a HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene) pipe which will be covered with a wood capping so it has a similar appearance to the other two pipes, in order to increase durability and longevity.

Limited vegetation removal will be required to accommodate the work, but will be minimized as much as possible. Correct handling and disposal of the contaminated soil beneath the penstocks will also be part of the project scope.

This project will require a federal Impact Assessment in order to determine whether the project is likely to cause significant adverse effects to natural or cultural resources, including to the critical habitat of four Species at Risk. 

Latest update

July 3, 2024 – Parks Canada intends to make a determination regarding whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Parks Canada is inviting public comments until August 2, 2024 respecting that determination.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document Number Document Title File Date
1 New project being assessed by Parks Canada - Public comments invited from July 3 to August 2, 2024 - July 3, 2024

Contacts

Rideau Canal National Historic Site
34 Beckwith Street South
Smiths Falls, Ontario K7A 2A8
Telephone: 613-283-5170 or 1-888-773-8888
Fax: 613-283-0677
Email: rideau@pc.gc.ca


  • Location

    • Rideau Canal National Historic Site (Ontario)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Hydroelectric Energy

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2024-07-03

  • Proponent

    External proponent

  • Authorities

    • Parks Canada Agency

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    88684
Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

 

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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