Construction crews have mobilized to begin construction on the Whites Portage Dam located at Whites Falls on County Road 24.
The popular site northeast of Midland will now be temporarily closed to the public until the end of the construction period, according to a news release from Parks Canada.
County Road 24 will remain open to traffic during the construction period, Parks Canada noted.
The Whites Portage Dam is the main flood management dam for Six Mile Lake on the Trent-Severn Waterway and is one of seven owned and operated by Parks Canada in the area.
Originally constructed in 1918, the dam regulates the lake’s water level and outflow into Gloucester Pool.
The project will completely replace the current dam with a new one in the same location and orientation, Parks Canada said.
According to the release, as the construction phase begins, residents and visitors can expect to see:
- Signage installation on local and regional roads advising of upcoming work and the closure of public access to White’s Falls
- Fencing installation to enclose the site
- Preparation of staging area for construction crews and the arrival of heavy equipment
"In-water construction work is expected to begin after the fish spawning window has closed in the middle of July and will continue for the next two years," the release states.
Whites Falls, which cascades below the dam, is a popular destination for canoes, kayaks, swimmers and sight-seers, Parks Canada noted.
"Given that the construction area will encompass the entire Whites Falls area, public access to the Falls will be closed throughout the construction period," Parks Canada said.
For updates on infrastructure work, visit www.pc.gc.ca/tswSevernGravenhurst. If you would like to receive updates via email, send an email to [email protected] and include “Whites Portage Dam” in the subject line.
