Updates: Howson Dam, North Maitland River

By Linda Heron on Thursday, July 9th, 2020

Posted in Dam Removal, Dam Removals, Dams, Howson Dam, North Maitland River, Removal, Repair/Replacement, River Concerns

The motion, presented on Monday night, suggested by the committee calls for North Huron Council to approve an engineering study to determine the future of the dam and set out a schedule for fundraising for the rehabilitation of the structure. If that schedule cannot be met, however, the recommendation calls for the removal of the structure.

Articles:
Howson Dam spillway to be tested, 23 Nov 2020
North Huron Council approves engineering study on Howson Dam, 9 July 2020
‘It’s going to be black or white’: North Huron council approves funding Howson Dam committee to speak to engineers, experts, 9 July 2020

Advocating for Decommissioning of the Howson Dam, North Maitland River

By Linda Heron on Thursday, October 10th, 2019

Posted in Aquatic Life, Dam Removal, Dam Removals, Howson Dam, North Maitland River, ORA Submissions, River Concerns

Howson Dam at capacity in the 24 June 2017 storm event.

ORA has seen few dams that attract tourists to a town, but large healthy rivers and fisheries appear to be more attractive, especially to anglers and canoeists, that can bring additional tourist dollars into the community.

Continue reading →

Howson Dam on the North Maitland River should be Decommissioned

By Linda Heron on Wednesday, June 20th, 2018

Posted in Dam Removals, Howson Dam, North Maitland River, ORA Reports, Presentations

Concrete is failing and eroding away.

Linda Heron, Chair of ORA, made this presentation on the 18th of June 2018, to the Township of North Huron’s Reeve and Council regarding the Howson Dam on the North Maitland River. According to a 19 June article by Adam Bell, Blackburn News, a decision will be made on the future of the Howson Dam soon. Continue reading →

Decommission Howson Dam on the North Maitland River

By Linda Heron on Tuesday, April 24th, 2018

Posted in Dam Removal, Dam Removals, Dams, Howson Dam, Impacts, North Maitland River, ORA Submissions, Removal, River Concerns

Looking downstream at Howson Dam on the North Maitland River.

On 23 – 24 June of 2017, the upstream Gorrie Dam failed and the Howson Dam was at capacity during an extreme rain event and flood when 175 mm of rain fell in just 7 hours, placing more than 150 property owners at risk and resulting in an estimated $11-million in damages in the Town of Harriston. This severe rain event broke previous records by approximately 40% and was the second highest flow on the North Maitland in the 48 years of record. Fortunately, no one was killed; however, it could have been much worse, as in October of 2015, when a South Carolina flood breached 18 dams, and resulted in 16 deaths.

Continue reading →