Blind River Dam

The Blind River Dam controls the water levels for the lower Blind River and Lake Duborne. Located about 300 m upstream of the Blind River outlet into the north channel of Lake Huron, the dam is owned by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry and operated, along with its adjacent 100 kW hydroelectric generating station, by the Town. Located within the Town of Blind River, the dam is integral to power production, spring flood control, fisheries protection, and recreation in the area.

History

The original Blind River Dam was built more than 100 years ago on private land to operate a sawmill. The first concrete structure was built in 1939 and operated by the Town until 1966 when the Government of Ontario agreed to take ownership.

The dam was rebuilt in 1974 as a concrete structure with moveable winches on rails. During the construction, a fish slide was replaced with a fifth control gate. Since construction, the dam has seen major renovations with the addition of a generating facility and an overflow gate in the west bay in 1998 and concrete rehabilitation in 1999.

Currently, the dam consists of three stop-log sluices, one mechanical gate and the two-unit hydro generating facility. The station sends power to municipal buildings located on Martin and Hudson Streets. Water levels are maintained by placement or removal of stop logs, or by adjusting the mechanical gate.

Learn more about the Blind River Dam by viewing our Blind River Water Management Plan

2015 Blind River Dam leakage

In 2015 the Ministry sought to address excessive leakage occurring in gates 3, 4 and 5 of the dam. Work was completed from August to September 2015 to seal the leaks and rehabilitate the dam's gates.

View the Ministry's documents presented to Town Council during a presentation on Sept. 8, 2015:

• Chronology of Blind River Dam Leakage
• Blind River Dam Leakage Pictures
• Blind River Water Management Plan Study Area
• Blind River Average Monthly Flow - August 1-14, 2015
• Blind River Average Monthly Flow - August 1-31, 2015

Water level reports

View our recent Blind River Dam water level reports. Please contact us at info@blindriver.ca or 705-356-2251 if you would like to view reports from previous years.