Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock, Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover, and Lake of Bays Councillor Jacqueline Godard joined area MPP and Minister of Natural Resources Graydon Smith for a funding announcement in front of the Baysville Dam on the morning of December 18.
Smith announced that the Ontario government is investing $75M in rehabilitating ten dams across the province, including the Baysville Dam and the dam at the Brunel Locks in Huntsville.
Smith said it was great to be in Baysville. “It’s a great day. We’re here in front of the Baysville Dam at the southern tip of Lake of Bays where it turns into the south branch of the Muskoka River. This dam is one of 310 across Ontario that my Ministry is responsible for safely operating and maintaining,” he told those present. “In the Muskoka region which is rich with lakes and waterways, we know how important dams are. They provide a wide range of benefits, including maintaining the health of our ecosystems and the surrounding shorelines.” He also said they support economic growth by drawing visitors to the lakes, rivers, and streams in Muskoka and across the province.
“As a former mayor and as someone who has had a little bit of experience with water levels from time to time, we know how important the infrastructure is to make sure that we’re maintaining appropriate water levels and being able to manage waterways and watersheds throughout Ontario.”
Smith said many of the dams were built in the 50s and 60s, “so you can imagine that they’re starting to show their age a little bit but their continued operation is essential to keeping our surrounding communities and environment safe, and that’s why our government is taking action to proactively repair and reconstruct dam infrastructure,” added Smith.
He said the rehabilitation work is set to take place over the next four years, which will extend the service life of each dam by up to 100 years.
Smith said the funding for the Baysville Dam will be used for essential concrete repairs, resurfacing, and the restoration of deteriorating areas.
Last year in Magnetawan, Smith announced a $22M investment in the rehabilitation of six other dams across the province. “And I’m pleased to announce that construction on many of these projects is well underway.”
Smith said the ten new projects announced in Baysville are the next step in his Ministry’s long-term plan to improve water management operations throughout the province.
“We’re really, really excited about it,” said Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover. “I mean, the Baysville Dam is an iconic landmark for Baysville and certainly for Lake of Bays. I think it’s a tremendous announcement. People gather here, tourists come in, and everybody enjoys,” said Glover, noting that the dams are important when it comes to regulating water and protecting shorelines. He said the announcement is good news. Infrastructure is expensive to maintain, he added.
“It’s a fantastic announcement today,” said Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock. “Of the ten projects, one of them is in Huntsville, and they will start the engagement process in 2025,” she said, adding that she hopes it will be completed by mid-2026.
She said the rehabilitation of the dam will bring it up to today’s standards. “It’s still in its early stages, but it’s a great announcement for everybody,” she added.
The ten projects are comprised of the following:
- Baysville Dam in the Township of Lake of Bays
- Frood Lake Dam in the Township of Espanola
- Forest Lake Dam in Smellie Township
- Gooseneck Lake Dam in the Municipality of Whitestone
- Huntsville Dam in the Town of Huntsville
- Hurdman Dam in the Town of Mattawa
- Lang Lake Dam in the Township of Espanola
- Shaw Lake Dam in the Municipality of Huron Shores
- Whitefish Lake Dam in the Township of Lismore
- Wagita Concrete Dam in the Township of Atikokan
“This investment is responsive to past recommendations made by the Auditor General and aligns with the province’s commitment to enhance public infrastructure, foster economic growth, and strengthen communities across Ontario,” states a news release issued by the Province of Ontario.
You can watch a video of the announcement below.
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