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The Ontario government is investing $22 million to reconstruct six dams across the province to help mitigate flooding and keep people and communities safe.

“Our government is taking action to ensure we have infrastructure in place to protect people and communities across Ontario,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “With this investment, we will be able to ensure these dams continue to meet provincial standards and prevent significant environmental, financial and public safety issues associated with dam failure.”

The six dams being remediated are:

• Agimak Lake Dam in the Township of Ignace
• Manitou River Dam on Manitoulin Island
• Baptiste Lake Dam in the Town of Bancroft
• Kashegaba Lake Dam in the Municipality of Whitestone
• Lyndhurst Dam in the Village of Lyndhurst
• Magnetawan Lake Dams in the Village of Magnetawan

Agimak Lake Dam has deteriorated over time, with an inoperable low-flow discharge valve, concrete deterioration, seepage through the existing timber crib walls, and sediment build-up. Repairs will be undertaken to address these issues.

The rehabilitation will restore Agimak Lake Dam to provincial design and safety standards and extend the useful life of the dam by an estimated 40-60 years.

The rehabilitation of the other five dams will extend the useful service life of each for up to 100 years.