Stay Clear, Stay Safe this Civic Holiday Long Weekend

Always Evaluate Water Conditions and Respect Safety Signs & Barriers

Campbellford – As the Civic Holiday long weekend approaches, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), and Parks Canada Agency (PCA) continue to remind residents and tourists in the Municipality of Trent Hills to take extreme caution and exercise sound judgement when around water, especially when near hydroelectric stations and dams, which can be dangerous.

The hydroelectric stations and control dams found along the Trent-Severn Waterway can pass hundreds of cubic metres of water per second. River flows and water levels can change quickly, while dry spillways can become fast flowing rivers at a moment’s notice, sometimes without warning. In fact, recent structural improvements at Ranney Falls Generating Station (GS) allow for a more efficient passing of water through spillways, as well as increased generation capacity.

Moving forward, these station upgrades will increase the velocity of the river flows in the navigational boating channel above and below Ranney Falls Generating Station.

OPG and PCA have erected signs and barriers to restrict access to areas of the Trent River where it is not safe for recreation.

An example is the area in Campbellford around OPG’s Ranney Falls GS including the whitewater area just upstream on the Trent River. Despite continued warnings, some people continue to enter the area, potentially exposing themselves to extreme danger as water levels and flows can change quickly.

Activities on the water can be lots of fun when done safely. OPG and PCA want you to enjoy your summer, but always remember to stay clear, stay safe while doing so.

Before participating in any outdoor water recreational activity, OPG is advising the public to first visit: www.opg.com/watersafety

QUOTES
“Public safety is of the utmost importance to us at OPG,” said OPG’s Malcolm Bates, Work Centre Manager at the Campbellford Service Centre.

“Whether people are boating, swimming or fishing, we need everyone to understand the dangers of fast-moving water and respect all warning signs, fences, and other safety barriers - they are in place to protect you and your loved ones from harm.”
“Water levels and flow can change quickly near dams on the Trent-Severn Waterway,” says David Britton, Director of Ontario Waterways for Parks Canada.

“We urge the public to enjoy the outdoors safely by following signs, fences, booms, buoys and barriers at dams and along their surrounding shorelines.”

QUICK FACTS
 Despite continued warnings, some people disregard signs and barriers, putting themselves at risk. Barriers and signage are there for the public’s protection.
 OPG works with the Ontario Provincial Police to enforce these warnings, and charges can – and have – been laid.
 Moving forward, recent upgrades will increase the velocity of the river flows in the navigational boating channel above Ranney Falls GS.  Water levels and flows can change quickly near a dam. Increased water flow can cause normally dry areas to pool water with current of high velocity, which could result in a person being stranded without an escape route or swept into strong currents.

About OPG

As a global climate change leader and the largest, most diverse electricity generator in the province, OPG and its family of companies are helping lead the charge to a post-carbon economy.

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