Residents concerned about shoreline erosion caused by Carillon dam

Residents living along the Ottawa River are not pleased about the fact that shoreline erosion is diminishing property value and no one is willing to take responsibility for the damage.

At the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR) committee of the whole meting, held Tuesday, August 10, Clarence-Rockland resident Ian Scott made a presentation to the eight mayors about shoreline erosion and the effect it has having on property owners and, in turn, municipalities.

Scott himself owns 1,000 feet of waterfront property along the Ottawa River, though his property "hasn't been affected...yet."
The problem, Scott explained, takes root at the Carillon Dam, a hydroelectricOttawa River near Carillon.
Built between 1959 and 1964, it is managed and operated by Hydro-Québec. It is a run-of-river generating station with an installed capacity of 752 MW, a head of 17.99 meters (59 feet), and a reservoir of 26 square kilometers. The dam spans the river between Carillon and Pointe-Fortune, Ontario. power station on the
Upon completion, the dam raised the water level by over 62 feet (19 m) at Carillon and over nine feet (2.7 m) at Grenville, Scott said. This inundated the rapids of Long-Sault, transforming them into calm (deeper) water.
The dam also includes a modern lock that facilitates traffic up the Ottawa River, superseding the Carillon Canal.

"Lots and parcels of land have been literally disappearing under the water," he told UCPR mayors. "This kind of devastation and destruction is not only destroying property, but threatening wetlands and fragile ecosystems as well."

Scott presented a series of photos of shoreline that is eroding and highlighted some areas that are having major issues, such as Clarence Island, which is considered to be a heritage waterfront.

"In Lefaivre, they are losing acres of waterfront land," Scott remarked. "A man I know spent upwards of $75,000 to repair waterfront damage done on his property. Domaine Chartrand Camping in Lefaivre has the same story. The owners of the campground are struggling to prevent flooding. The government has been contacted and the response is always the same. They say it's regrettable, but there isn't much that can be done."

Scott said Hydro Québec according to the act that governs the Carillon dam, which hasn't been changed or updated in nearly 50 years, the company is required to pay property owners for damages that occur as a result of the dam and it is also required to pay municipalities for lost tax revenue.

"No one is taking responsibility for the damage being causes and no one has been paid any compensation, despite numerous attempts," he said. "I know Hydro Québec isn't very pleased with me right now because I am doing so much nosing around. I have never seen a mess like this and have never had such a hard time getting information."

Scott suggested the counties compare its GIS map with the historical maps he was able to find to determine pieces of property that have disappeared off the tax roll.

"In some cases, municipalities may be eligible for up to 50 years worth of compensation," he said.

Warden and Casselman Mayor Conrad Lamadeleine, along with the other mayors, admitted to being "shocked" by Scott's news and wondered if the UCPR should form a committee to further examine the issue.

CAO Stéphane Parisien suggested staff work closely with Scott to examine the documentation and maps he has gathered and report back to council at its regular meeting in August.

The Nation Mayor Denis Pommainville told Scott not to "waste your time" with bureaucrats and said property owners and municipalities only have two options in this matter - a class action lawsuit or a political solution.

"The government is not going to solve this problem," he cautioned. "Everyone has to get involved and come up with a solution. Failing that, your only other option is a class action lawsuit. Otherwise, you are simply wasting your time."