Dam Operation
The stop logs and flashboards were fully installed by mid-August and the reservoir is currently at normal operating levels. As per typical operating procedures, removal of the logs and flashboards will start in early October to begin the process of drawing down the reservoir to prevent flooding from winter ice jams. This process is expected to take several weeks and, depending on weather, will conclude by the end of October.
Please note that no decisions have been made at this time about the operation of the dam in 2021.
Ownership
In late August LSRCA received a reply from the province about our ownership inquiry. Unfortunately, the letter did not clearly confirm who legally owns the dam. To that end, we have asked that the Town of Georgina also do a detailed search and review of their property records to confirm when they originally took ownership of the dam and if ownership was transferred to LSRCA.
Community Engagement
There is currently no concrete timeframe for community engagement. Once legal ownership can be confirmed, LSRCA and the Town of Georgina will consider the most effective way to engage the public as the future of the dam is considered. Unfortunately, this process will be complicated because of the changing provincial and regional restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are aware of the dam’s importance to the local Pefferlaw community and we know there is a strong interest in discussing its future. We would like to affirm our commitment to pursuing the necessary information required to carry out community engagement in a meaningful way. As soon as we have more information, we will share it with our Pefferlaw Dam mailing list and post it on our website.
We'll be in touch again soon,
Kristen Yemm
Director, Corporate Communications and Engagement
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
905-895-1281, ext. 315
