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Big East River – Dam Removal / Sediment Transport Study

Location: Huntsville, Ontario
Setting: Muskoka area, southeast of Algonquin Park
Date: Summer 2001

Big East - Assessing Erosion

Historically, the Big East River was utilized as a method of transport for timber during the logging in northern Ontario. To assist in the transport of logs down the Big East, several dams were constructed during the 1940s to control flows and improve the transfer of the logs down the river.

Due to the age and the condition of the dam involved in the study, it was determined by the OMNR that, for safety and economic reasons, it should be decommissioned.

As part of an environmental impact assessment, Parish Geomorphic Ltd. was retained by Acres and Associated Environmental to monitor the effects of the dam removal on sediment transport and determine any possible impacts on the reservoir, the river downstream of the dam and several adjacent tributaries.

This was accomplished through regular bed load sampling during the draw-down of the reservoir as well as the regular observation of areas of increased sediment transport, bank erosion and other points of interest.

As part of the post dam removal rehabilitation of the former reservoir, Parish Geomorphic Ltd. provided recommendations on bank and flood plain stabilization through the use of bioengineering and native plantings.

CASE STUDIES