Sideburned Lake Dam Operating Plan

1.8 OPERATING PROCEDURE

This dam is generally operated with a spill weir being able to handle the majority of water level fluctuation upstream of the dam. Under normal conditions - there is one log removed in the fall of the year to handle the fall storms and spring runoff, with one stoplog put back in after the peak of the spring freshet is over.

(A) SUMMER OPERATIONS

After July 1, operation of the dam will consist of the following:

At the time the water level at the staff gauge located at the M.N.R. Base reaches a level of 425.8 (metres above sea level), there will be two stoplogs pulled out of the dam. On day seven after the removal of the two stoplogs:

a) if the water level on the staff gauge is above 425.9, both logs will be replace.

or

b) if the water level is not above 425.9, only one log will be replaced.

If the water level declines below 425.8 again and both logs had been replaced as set out in situation a) above, the cycle will be repeated.

If only one stoplog had been replaced, as set out in situation b) above, no further stoplog reoval will occur.

This operating procedure will ensure that the summer drawdown in the lake system above the Sideburned Lake Dam will not exceed 0.6 metres (24").

This method of operation has shown to have been relatively successfull in the past and should continue to be the operating procedure for summer operations.

(B) SPRING OPERATIONS

In order to prepare the dam for the spring freshet flow, one stoplog will be removed from the dam during the month of November. A slow drawdown of 0.3 metres (12 inches) will occur. More stoplogs may be removed if the snow accumulation over the winter becomes abnormally high. The following table indicates the number of stoplogs removed with respect to the month of year and the percentage of normal snow water content. Once the stoplogs are removed, they are not to be replaced until the peak of the spring freshet is over.

The table serves as a general guid for the spring operations of the dam. The magnitude of spring runoff depends on various factors such as the snow water content, the degree-days above freezing, vegetation, soil types, etc. If abnormal situations arise, the Regional Engineer may overrule the table and operate the dam differently. (See Appendix "B")

Note: The table and appendix referred to above are not reproduced here. The plan in its entirety can be seen at the Chapleau M.N.R. district office.