Stay clear of dams and hydro stations this Thanksgiving
by CM Staff
Water levels can change quickly and without notice, OPG warns
Stay Clear Stay Safe This Holiday Weekend. OPG’s Hagues Reach Generating Station (Ontario Power Generation Inc.)
TORONTO — Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is reminding the public to stay away from hydroelectric stations and dams over the Thanksgiving weekend.
“Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to get outside and enjoy the autumn weather, but water levels and flows near dams and hydroelectric stations can change quickly and without notice,” said Nicolle Butcher, senior vice-president of Renewable Generation & Power Marketing for OPG, in a prepared statement. “Stay clear and stay safe this long weekend by obeying all warning signs, buoys, booms and barriers near hydroelectric stations and dams.”
According to a company statement, OPG operates 66 hydroelectric stations and 241 dams on 24 river systems. Most of these facilities are remotely controlled. As demand for electricity rises and falls throughout each day, operators stationed many kilometres away open and close dams to manage flows, and start and stop generating units as needed. Water that looks safe may become turbulent with little or no warning.
