Questions and Answers

The current rate for selling renewable hydro power back to the grid is approximately ¢8 / kW-hr. The Burgess Dam is estimated to be capable of generating an annual range of 680,000 kW-hrs (conservative) to 1,190,000 kW-hrs (optimistic), yielding a yearly revenue range of $54,300 to $95,300. 

This is a decision that would be made by Township Council as part of the budget process and is not within the scope of this MEA Class Environmental Assessment Study.

The options for ownership will be a future decision for Township Council and would be a decision to be made following the completion of this MEA Class Environmental Assessment. Options could include Township ownership with a lease for the dam’s operation or sale of the dam.

The existing powerhouse is currently an integral structural component of the Burgess Dam and will continue to be after rehabilitation. Currently the proposal for continued power generation would be rehabilitation of the powerhouse section which would be upgraded but left in place in its current location.

Currently, water levels upstream and downstream of the Burgess Dam are not anticipated to be impacted regardless of the form of rehabilitation. 

The Bala North and South dams control the water levels of Lake Muskoka in accordance with the Muskoka River Water Management Plan (MRWMP) that has been in place since 2006. The MRWMP supersedes the Hackner-Holden agreement that was put into place in 1940. The Burgess Dam is able to operate while Lake Muskoka water levels are within the normal operating zone. Given the relatively small allotment of water given to Burgess in comparison to the amount of water available in the Muskoka River at the Bala reach, the water draw from Burgess is considered relatively small and the operation of the South and North dams should not affect its ability to operate.

The current tenant replaced one of the two existing Francis turbines with a new Kaplan turbine circa 2012. The new Kaplan turbine was manufactured by CSC Energie Inc. 

The flows through the Burgess Dam are restricted to 4 m3/s and has little or no bearing on the water levels in Lake Muskoka or the Moon River. The Bala North and South dams control the water levels of Lake Muskoka in accordance with the Muskoka River Water Management Plan (MRWMP).

The addition of locks is not being considered at this time but the feedback will be provided to Council upon completion of the EA study.

Although specific costs at this point in the planning phase are not known, it is estimated that there would be a considerable increase in price for rehabilitation and continued power generation at the Burgess 1 Dam facility, this would involve partial replacement or rehabilitation of the existing turbines and increased upgrades to the tail race of the facility to mitigate risks associated with erosion and undermining of the facility. Furthermore, increased maintenance would be required to continue to run the facility and it would also likely require part- or full-time supervision to ensure it is being run safely and efficiently. Specific costs are not currently available at this early phase of the project as the preferred solution has not yet been selected, however, it can be expected that a higher maintenance and supervision cost through the service life of the facility will be associated with continued power generation that will increase the time period for return on investment.  

The purpose of a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study is largely a planning tool to help guide municipalities and the public find helpful solutions to problems and/or projects, with a focus on public engagement. Therefore, the aim of this study is not to necessarily poll the public on specific solutions that should be chosen but to gather input and feedback to the municipality to help shape a beneficial solution for everyone. At this early planning phase specific details with regards to cost estimates of rehabilitation, specific return on investments and revenues are not known and will be developed as the project moves through the design process. At this point the Township is welcoming feedback and input from members of the public for general concerns and comment to help guide the overall direction of the project, at this point your selection does not need to dictate a specific permanent solution but instead your feedback and selection of a general preference of alternative solution is welcomed to help move the project forward together.

Rehabilitation or replacement of the Burgess 1 Dam will include mitigation measures to reduce the risk of another over topping event such as what happened in the spring of 2019.

The way in which the preferred solution is implemented will ultimately be a decision made by the Township Council during the implementation phase of the project and is not considered within the scope of this Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study.

The Dam Safety Review is a public document and has been made available on the Engage Muskoka Lakes website under the EA page for the Burgess 1 Dam.  To view the study, please click here.

Changes and modifications to the upstream environment of the river are considered outside the scope of the Study.  Furthermore, changes made with respect to the bridges such as the one located on Highway 169 are outside the authority of the Township of Muskoka Lakes.

Under the Muskoka River Water Management Plan which includes the Burgess 1 Generating station, Burgess is allotted a maximum water flow of 4 m³/s  for power generation.  Changing this value is outside the scope of the Study. For further details on the Water Management Plan please visit Muskoka Water Web at www.muskokawaterweb.ca where the plan is publicly available for review.