Concrete Examples
Ottawa River Watershed Hydroelectric Developments
Objective: Manage the hydroelectric facilities on the Ottawa River according to the watershed users' needs. This 1,200-km-long river has been supplying generating facilities since the 1920s.
- Total installed capacity: 1,940 MW
- Number of generating stations: 13, with 9 on the Ottawa River. The 2007 commissioning of Mercier generating station on the Rivière Gatineau added 50 MW in installed capacity and 282 GWh in annual output. For this generating station, Hydro-Québec selected the development option with the least environmental impact: the structure was built next to Baskatong reservoir so as not to entail any new flooding or a diversion to supply the station. Moreover, the Baskatong reservoir management method was preserved.
- Area of the Ottawa River watershed: 146,334 km2, with 92,203 km2 in Québec and the remainder in Ontario.
- Main rivers of the Ottawa River watershed in Québec: Gatineau, Lièvre, Kipawa and Rouge.
Environment
Protection of wildlife and habitats, and joint watershed management
When
- Over the years, and particularly since 1995, Hydro-Québec has carried out research and other initiatives to protect wildlife, vegetation and habitats in the Ottawa River watershed, in an effort to enhance the environments hosting its facilities.
How
- Stabilization and restoration of several kilometres of banks along the Ottawa River to control erosion.
- Release of an instream flow at the Rapides-des-Quinze spillway to offset fish habitat loss caused by spillway reconstruction.
- Studies on the heritage value of several generating facilities, including Rapides-Farmer and Bryson.
Examples of projects funded by the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'environnement
- Habitat restoration – Pointe-Fortune.
- Protection of freshwater turtles – Bristol, Angers and Plaisance.
- Protection of vulnerable and threatened species – Aylmer.
Society
Contribution to communities' quality of life
How
- Multipurpose use of Hydro-Québec properties and facilities.
- Funding of enhancement initiatives.
- Participation in the work of various organizations, including the board responsible for the Rivière de la Petite Nation integrated development plan.
Examples
- Contribution to the enhancement of natural sites: wildlife observation post in Lochaber, Centenaire Park in Thurso, Chutes de Plaisance on the Rivière de la Petite Nation.
- Agreement between Hydro-Québec, Tembec and the municipality of Témiscaming to carry out landscaping which will promote multipurpose use of Lumsden dam as well as a more harmonious integration of the structure into the environment.
- Agreements with the Aboriginal community of Kitcisakik regarding land use around Bourque dam (Dozois reservoir) and water-quality monitoring in swimming areas.
Economy
Contribution to the provincial and regional economies
How
- Financial assistance was granted for the construction of recreational facilities proposed by the Récré-eau-des-Quinze organization at Rapides-des-Quinze, Rapides-des-Îles and Première-Chute generating stations.
Facts and Figures
- Mercier generating station (50 MW): $140-million project that generated economic spinoffs of $10.6 million during the construction stage for the Outaouais and Laurentides regions. Throughout the service life of the generating station, spinoffs will be around $700,000 per year.
- Carillon and Rapides-Farmer generating stations: more than 4,600 visitors in 2008.
For more information on the Ottawa watershed hydroelectric developments:
