KHR Township Asking for Input on New Water Management Plan

The Township of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards wants public input on a change to the Water Management Plan of the Bonnechere River.

The proposal would see the draw down of water levels on Round Lake to begin in September. Renfrew Power Generation is also hoping to draw the lakes down to a new lower limit over the winter months, down from 170.1 masl to 169.6. The plan wants to draw down the lakes to a level of 4-6 cm a week over the fall and winter period. MNRF and Renfrew Power Generation hope this will also help prevent ice flows causing erosion and flooding. The proposals mimic operations prior to the introduction of the Water Management Plan.

The public consultations in Pikwakanagan and Round Lake Center are part of a lengthy consultation process that began in October of last year. There have been meetings with MNRF, the Algonquins of Ontario and consulting firms that included two public consultations on August 10th. Consulting firm Bowfin Environmental was hired and say the new plan will not affect fish populations.

KHR  Mayor Janice Vineskie Moore says she hopes to take into account homeowner and environmental concerns. She also hopes the change is to help avoid a repeat of this spring’s floods, and urges property owners to give their input.

For details on the amendment, click here.