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Public Safety Advisory on the Controlled Release of Water (December 3, 2013)

December 3rd, 2013

December 3, 2013 – Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travellers that as a result of the recent high rainfall and some snow melt, reservoir levels are and channel flows are very high and releases of water are required at many of its facilities.
The Company is releasing water at the following locations:
  • Star Lake area of Central Newfoundland – the Company is releasing water at Star Lake Spillway into Star Brook.
  • Jackson’s Arm and White Bay area on the Great Northern Peninsula – the Company is releasing water from Cat Arm Spillway into the Cat Arm River.
  • Burnt Pond and White Bear River areas of Central and Southern Newfoundland – the Company is releasing water at the Burn Dam Spillway into the White Bear River
  • Granite Canal area accessed from Central Newfoundland – the Company is releasing water over the Granite Canal Spillway and the Granite Overflow Dykes along Burnt Dam access road into Grey River and is bypassing water at the Granite Canal Bypass Structure
  • North Salmon Dam Spillway into the North Salmon River – the Company is releasing water from its North Salmon Dam spillway into the North Salmon River.
The release of water has stopped at Hinds Lake Spillway through Hinds Lake Brook into Grand Lake in Western Newfoundland but additional releases may be required. The bridge across Hinds Lake Brook remains closed.
There is a potential for release in the Jeddore Lake/Bay d’Espoir area in Southern Newfoundland. The Company advises that it may be required to initiate a controlled water release at the Salmon River Spillway. This will result in higher than normal flows in the Salmon River and closure of the access road to the Upper Salmon Development which will prevent traffic from entering or leaving the area.
People are advised to use these areas with great caution as water levels and flows are higher than normal and may be unpredictable. Water releases at spillways could begin or end at any time.


Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. [email protected]