Advisory: Update on Controlled Water Releases in Central Newfoundland
January 23, 2023
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travellers in the Granite Canal area accessed from Central Newfoundland that the Company has stopped releasing water at the Granite Canal Bypass structure. Due to elevated reservoir levels from recent rainfall and mild temperatures, as well as forecasted additional rainfall and mild temperatures, the Company may have to resume controlled releases from this location. In addition, releases at the Granite Canal Spillway and the Granite Overflow Dykes into Grey River may be required. Releases at the Granite Canal Spillway or overflow dykes may wash out the road to Burnt Dam, located 15.5 km from the Granite turn-off.
The Company is advising residents, cabin owners and travellers that the Company is still conducting a controlled release of water in the Upper Salmon area of Central Newfoundland at the North Salmon Dam spillway into the North Salmon River.
In addition to the above, due to forecasted rainfall and mild temperatures, the Company is advising residents, cabin owners and travellers that there may also be a further requirement to release water at the following locations:
- the Star Lake Spillway into Star Brook and then Beothuk Lake; and
- in the Burnt Pond and White Bear River areas of Central and Southern Newfoundland at Burnt Dam Spillway into the White Bear River.
People are advised to use these areas with great caution as water levels and flows will be higher than normal and may be unpredictable.