SWIFT RIVER BEGINS HYDRO PLANT TESTING IN BALA

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BALA — Years of planning, protesting and broken political promises have come to fruition for Swift River Energy Limited (SREL), the builder, owner and operator of the controversial new Bala hydro generating station on the Moon River in Muskoka Lakes Township.

Testing is underway as of Sept. 18, 2019, and is continuing for up to three weeks.

Swift River says in release that it will be carrying out “controlled and incremental testing” of the power plant as it prepares the facility for operations.

They say testing will be carried out from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day until just a few days before Thanksgiving, the busiest time of the year in Bala, which celebrates its Cranberry Festival.

SWEL says “the public and stakeholders can be assured that the testing procedures have been prepared by experts.

“Plans have been carefully developed with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Ontario Power Generation. During testing, SREL will be coordinating with them several times a day.

They say daily variations in water flows will cause some fluctuation of water levels. However, the test program has been prepared to maintain water levels within the Best Management Zone as outlined in the Muskoka River Water Management Plan for various reservoirs from Lake Muskoka to Go Home Lake.

The MNRF will continue to operate the Bala North and South Dam during this time.

During testing, the public is advised to exercise caution. SREL will be monitoring the vicinity of the Bala Generating Station and dams but the public is requested to assist by remaining clear of the area immediately adjacent to the station during this period.

Testing of the new power plant’s operations are underway in late September and early October, to just before the Bala Cranberry Festival. (Swift River photo)
Swift River says water levels on the Bala Falls may fluctuate during testing, but they say those lower levels have been approved by the Muskoka Watershed Council.

Email Mark Clairmont at mark@muskokatoday.com

Or news@muskokatoday.com

Celebrating 25 YEARS of ‘Local Online Journalism’

Follow him at Twitter @muskokatodaily

And on Facebook at mark@muskokatodaily.com

Letters to the Editor always welcome:

Let us know what you’re thinking. Click on the Comment button at the end of this story to leave your comments.

Or write a Letter to the Editor …

And … please Subscribe: