By Rosalind Russell – Vale says there will be temporary waterflows on Agnew Lake and the Spanish River water system to allow for work on a dam project near Nairn Centre.
According to the release, Vale Base Metals is temporarily adjusting water levels and flows on the two major waterways to support construction of the Nairn Falls Generating Station Spillway Replacement Project.
Residents should expect changing levels and potentially unsafe ice conditions, and the company recommends the removal of ice huts before March 1st adding motorized and recreational vehicles should not traverse iced lake areas after this time.
Agnew Lake is undergoing an accelerated drawdown with the water expected to rise in early March. (Ramsey Lake located near the watershed, not in central Sudbury, and Biscotasing Lake will have reduced openings beginning in March and will see a rise in their levels.)
The Spanish River flows, upstream and downstream from Agnew Lake, will also decrease and at Nairn Falls, the water will be drawn down by approximately five feet for two days in early March to safely complete the work.
All operations follow the Spanish and Vermilion Rivers Water Management Plan, and safety regulations are timed to ensure safe passages for spring freshet flows and to also protect fish spawning conditions.
Vale will provide updates if plans change and residents may contact the community concern line at 705-222-VALE or visit Ontario.operations@vale.com for more information.
Photo: Vale will be dropping water levels along the Spanish River for work on the Nairn Spillway. This could also affect water levels at Webbwood Falls in Espanola. Photo – Vista files.
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