ICE LAKE—If the Ice Lake dam, which is in a deteriorating condition, were to ever totally fail it would have significant effects on local home/cottagers, make existing water intake pipes inoperable, cause flooding and environmental impacts. Gordon/Barrie Island council representatives agree something needs to be done to alleviate these concerns. However, before any work is considered determination on who is responsible for the dam needs to be clarified first.
“Ultimately, our objective is the need for a long-term plan to deal with the water levels and make sure the watershed is managed properly,” said Greg Hudson of the Ice Lake Landowners Association, after meeting with Gordon/Barrie Island council earlier this month on behalf of the association.
However, “at this time no one seems to know who is responsible for the dam on the property where it is located,” said Mr. Hudson.
“We’re very aware of the condition of the dam,” said Lee Hayden, reeve of Gordon/Barrie Island. “Certainly, a concern of the ratepayers and the municipality and to make sure it (dam) is maintained and the lake level is maintained. We are dealing with and considering the information Mr. Hudson provided us with and looking at the issue of who is responsible for the dam where it is located. It looks from a survey done in 1991 that the dam is on private property. We need to determine this first, before going ahead.”
“I am a landowner on Ice Lake here on the Island that represents a new association, Ice Lake Landowners Association, and here this evening to discuss a concern of ours, the condition of the dam on the southeast,” Mr. Hudson told council March 5. “We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating condition of the dam located on the southeast corner of Ice Lake. We have begun a petition that aims to raise awareness and gather support to urge the relevant authorities to take immediate action and repair this crucial infrastructure. This petition has (over 300) signatures of landowners, permanent and seasonal residents that have concerns over the future of Ice Lake and are supporters of this initiative.”
“Ice Lake holds immense value for both its residents and visitors, serving as a vital water source, recreational hub, and an essential ecosystem for various wildlife species. However, due to years of neglect and lack of maintenance, our beloved dam is now in dire need of repair.”
“The current state of disrepair poses significant risks not only to our community but also to surrounding areas,” said Mr. Hudson. “If left unaddressed, potential consequences include: shore wells for home/cottage water rendered unusable; existing water intake lines in the lake for our homes and cottages rendered unusable.” He pointed out lines could be extended, however this would mean additional costs including replacing any existing heat tracer lines; flooding that could damage nearby properties, disruption in water supply affecting local businesses and households alike, as well as severe environmental impact on aquatic life.”
Mr. Hudson explained the dam was constructed over 50 years ago (1974) with an estimated lifespan of 50 years, and the dam’s weakened condition increases vulnerability during extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt. “Repairing the dam will not only safeguard our community but also create job opportunities for local contractors.”
“Our research has verified that since the dam’s construction in 1974, a number of agencies (local and provincial) have been engaged but there has never been a consensus of responsibility for the dam and water levels of Ice Lake until a council meeting February 14, 1986 (with the Ministry of Natural Resources) where an agreement was put in place for the township to assume the responsibility for the dam in 1987,” continued Mr. Hudson.
“Interestingly enough, a survey that was completed in October 1991 does not reflect the standard 66 foot easement road allowance of the northeast side of the bay leading up to the dam, which essentially provides ownership of the waterway to the landowner of said survey,” continued Mr. Hudson. “In contrast, via a property index map of the area that was captured in October 2018, this reflects what appears to be the missing road allowance easement. This easement appears in separate maps of the area. This raises a rather large question, what happened to the easement?”
“The land area around Ice Lake is much more populated, providing a considerable increase in tax revenues from the landowners to this township’s prosperity. Ultimately, very few of us would have opted to invest in property around this lake with the risk of this dam failing and Ice Lake water levels dropping to the point where the lake is not navigable by boat,” said Mr. Hudson.
“We are asking you today to review this request and help us determine a proper course of action to come up with a plan with a long-term solution of repairing and creating access to the dam for the township to maintain the watershed on Ice Lake,” said Mr. Hudson.
He said the dam needs to be replaced, and the property needs to be resurveyed with an ecological assessment and structural assessment done of the current dam.
“Everyone around the lake purchased their property to have access to a lake, not a glorified pond,” said Mr. Hudson.
“The first thing that needs to be determined is who has responsibility for the property the dam is located on,” said Reeve Hayden. “Then we can look at the different possibilities, such as replacement or repairs of the current dam,” he said noting an environmental study would need to be carried out as well as answering the question on the lakeshore road allowance easement, “and all proper permits need to be obtained before we can even look at doing something.”
“It is very important,” stated Reeve Hayden. “If the dam were to fail there would be a lot of consequences, including a decrease in the water levels by 16 inches in the spring on a lake that is very shallow.”
“From a municipal standpoint we share the concerns and will undertake the process of how to properly proceed on this issue,” added Reeve Hayden.
