Water Control Structures

SNC owns/operates/maintains seven water and erosion control infrastructure (WECI). In addition, SNC has undertaken four flood control channelization projects throughout the watershed. This infrastructure serves a variety of purposes including flood control, erosion control, low flow augmentation, water supply, recreation, and protection of fish and wildlife. These structures were built between the 1950s and 1980s. One of these dams was built in the early 1900's and later upgraded in 1975.

Chesterville Dam

The Chesterville Dam was constructed in 1978 to replace an existing flashboard weir as part of an extensive South Nation River flood control and low-flow augmentation scheme.

The dam is located near the town of Chesterville within Township of North Dundas and controls a total drainage area of 1050 km2. It consists of a 6-bay reinforced concrete structure. The purpose of the dam is to provide water supply for the Nestle Canada Inc. plant and to provide flood control.

SNC has upgraded the gate control devices at the Chesterville Dam so that the gate opens automaticllay if water levels rise. To make reservoir users aware of the changes, the Public Safety Procedure for the Chesterville Dam includes:

1. Signage:

• "Danger Dam Ahead. Keep Out" signs upstream the dam;
• "No Trespassing" signs at the gate steel fence;
• "Danger Dam Outflow, Keep Out" signs on the dam`; and
• "Warning. Dam Upstream. Water Levels and Flow May Change Without Warning" signs downstream the dam.

2. Public Awareness Campaign:

• Distribute posters through schools and media; and
• Media releases to local newspapgers when the high flows are expected (rain, spring, etc).

Crysler Dam

 The Crysler Dam consists of an overflow section and a two-bay stop log sluiceway section. The dam is located near the Town of Crysler in the Township of North Stormont and controls a total drainage area of approximately 1300 km².

The dam was originally built around 1900 and consisted of an overflow section, north and south retaining wall, a north abutment, an intake sluiceway and a mill. In 1975, the dam was significantly modified by plugging the mill's intake sluiceway, strengthening the overflow dam stone and timber crib construction, adding a downstream concrete/stone apron, and constructing a new stop log sluiceway, low-flow augmentation and associated channel on the south river bank. The dam currently is used for recreation and low-flow augmentation.

Casselman Weir

The Casselman Weir was constructed in 1958 in the Village of Casselman, likely incorporating an existing timber crib weir. It currently consists of an overflow section and a one-bay stop log sluiceway section. In 1987, the construction of a 375 kW hydroelectric plant diverted water from just upstream of the weir. In 1996, the weir was raised by 0.6 m (2 ft) to increase water storage. The weir is used for recreation, low-flow augmentation, municipal water supply and hydroelectric requirements.

Russell Weir

The Russell Weir is located near the Town of Russell within the Township of Russell. In 1916, a reinforced concrete dam was built 60 m east of the existing road bridge at Russell, but it subsequently failed in 1959. In 1967, a 79 metres long and 3.8 metres high reinforced concrete weir was constructed downstream from the original 1916 dam site.

Spencerville Weir

The Spencerville Weir is located on the South Nation River in the village of Spencerville adjacent to the old Spencerville Mill in Lot 26,  Concession VI of Edwardsburg Township. It was built in the last century to provide a millpond to operate the mill.

Plantagenet Weir

The Plantagenet Weir is south of South Plantagenet, approximately 30 metres north of the existing Railway Bridge crossing on the South Nation River.  

Seguinbourg Berm

Seguinbourg Berm is located on the South Nation River at Casselman, Ontario. It was built to protect a section of the valley side from river erosion and load the toe of the slope preventing its failure.

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