Objective: Manage the hydroelectric developments on the Saint-Maurice River, first harnessed in the early 1900s and used for log driving until 1995, taking into account the users of the watershed as a whole.
Number of hydroelectric facilities: 8
Length of river: 532 km
Environment
CONTRIBUTION TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE RIVER AND ITS BANKS
Why
The Saint-Maurice River is still cluttered with debris and old logs—relics of the log-driving days. After Rocher-de-Grand-Mère generating station was completed, we conducted various environmental follow-up studies, for example on the behavior of the river's ice cover and how it is used by snowmobilers and ATV operators.
How
We use our dams to lower the river level and so facilitate cleanup operations.
The new Rocher-de-Grand-Mère generating station, commissioned in December 2004, incorporates the old Grand-Mère facility into its retaining structures. It was built to reduce the bottleneck at the site caused by insufficient capacity at the old plant.
Environmental follow-up of ice cover: as evaluated in 2007, ice cover accessibility remains very good, especially with the boom that was put in place.
Society
COOPERATION WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Why
Cooperate in using the water resource.
Make the river more suitable for canoeing, fishing and other water sports
How
Participation in the construction of infrastructures:
Lookouts
A major theme park called Cité de l'énergie (nearly 52,000 visitors in 2006 alone)
Boat ramps
A road link across the river on an existing dam
Bicycle paths
Active involvement in various regional development forums, as well as recreational, tourist and environmental organizations.
Sponsorship of tourist events such as the Mauricie international canoe race.
Cooperation with more than 250 partners, including local municipalities, for activities such as maintaining the water levels required for recreation and navigation.
Economy
SUPPORT FOR THE PROVINCIAL AND REGIONAL ECONOMIES
How
Hydro-Québec invests in recreational and tourist projects near the La Tuque, Rocher-de-Grand-Mère, Shawinigan and La Gabelle hydroelectric developments.
Some statistics
Proportion of Hydro-Québec contracts in the region awarded to local companies: 75%
Purchases of goods and services in the Mauricie region in 2005: $129 million
