Pefferlaw residents upset over LSRCA’s decision to shut down historic dam

By: Mike Anderson

In the summertime, the majestic Pefferlaw River flows lazily just south of the town before reaching the historic Pefferlaw Dam.

Residents and visitors alike spend many delightful summer afternoons picnicking on the river bank, or idly paddling a kayak or canoe while watching a heron fish for its dinner.

While these bucolic scenes have been part of life in Pefferlaw for generations, they may soon be a thing of the past.

The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA), the agency responsible for operating the Pefferlaw Dam Conservation Area, has announced that the dam, built in the 1880s and considered a local landmark, will not be operational for the remainder of 2020, allowing the reservoir behind the dam to drain and the river’s water level to drop drastically.

At issue is the bridge over the dam, which the LSRCA says is no longer safe enough to support work crews that install stop-logs – square timber logs – across the dam’s opening, restricting the flow of the water over the dam during the spring and summer months, thereby maintaining higher water levels in the reservoir behind the dam and along the river.

The LSRCA’s inspection of the dam, conducted by an engineering consultant in November 2019, also found structural concerns with the dam itself that require further investigation, raising concerns about substantial repair costs which could lead to the eventual decommissioning of the dam.

According to the LSRCA website, without the placement of stop-logs, the river’s water level will “not be as high as usual,” impacting its recreational use and native flora, fauna and wildlife.

“As a favourite spot for its picturesque views, nostalgic memories and recreational opportunities, we recognize these changes may be difficult,” reads the website.

While LSRCA goes on to defend its decision by suggesting that a shallower, faster flowing river, albeit unnavigable by kayak or canoe, will be better able to handle flash floods caused by climate change, most of Pefferlaw’s residents are not buying that argument.

Haig Ampagoumian, a river property owner, said the water levels have already dropped substantially and will get worse as the summer progresses.

He calls it an ecological genocide that will wipe out natural wildlife habitats that have existed as long as there has been a dam, some 200 years.

In an open letter to local politicians and the LSRCA’s CEO Mike Walters, Mr. Ampagoumian also stated that recreational activities would also be severely impacted:

“The river provides great nature enjoyment to the residents who are always seen canoeing and kayaking on both the upstream and downstream sides and accessed by parkland adjacent Pefferlaw Road near the dam. The appropriate government has a responsibility to provide areas for recreational activities, and I can’t think how the river’s dynamic could possibly be replaced and if so, at what cost.”

Although Mr. Ampagoumian acknowledges the findings of the LSCRC’s engineering report, he claims that a workaround could be quickly completed without risking anyone’s safety.

“It’s not like it’s falling apart,” he said. “They could put in a few logs in to get the feet up a bit. This is something that needs to get done in hours and days, not weeks and months.”

April Lensen, a long-time resident, who’s house borders on a creek that meets the Pefferlaw River, also said that waterfront property owners could see the value of their homes plummet as a result of the LSRCA’s decision.

“With the water being low in the river, I’m now looking at a huge mud bog,” she said. “The value of my property is going to go down considerably as we don’t have much of anything to look at anymore.”

Stephanie Jamie, another concerned resident, recently set-up an online petition on Change.org calling for the Town of Georgina’s Mayor Margaret Quirk to rebuild the Pefferlaw Dam. It now has nearly 1,500 supporters — roughly about half of the town’s 3,000 residents.

Although Mayor Quirk has indicated that the Town of Georgina is prepared to look at “any funding opportunities and options with all supporting partners,” she would like to see further detailed structural analysis completed before it’s possible to move forward with repairing or rebuilding the dam.

“The Pefferlaw dam is a priority for the Town and the LSRCA, as it is for the residents of Pefferlaw. Even under the unusual circumstances of a pandemic, we are working on a solution,” said Mayor Quirk in an email response to The Post, but acknowledged that the work would have to wait until the province eases its restrictions.

“LSRCA staff have indicated that as the dam structure is not required for flood control, it is not deemed “essential” under the current provincial work closure order. As such, further study on the site itself is not possible until those restrictions are lifted.”

Despite recent reassurances from the Mayor and LSRCA, many residents, like Mr. Ampagoumian, are not satisfied that a solution will be forthcoming any time soon.

“I’m not optimistic because when you’re dealing with governments, typically, the feeling is they throw excuses and red tape and give you the feeling like something’s going to happen. They keep putting it off. They’re talking about weeks and months, and maybe they wouldn’t be able to get it done this year, but that’s okay. Take your time. Just put the logs in place,” he said.

In a recent email to The Post, Susan Jagminas, a spokesperson for LSRCA, said that while the agency has decided not to install stop-logs, it will continue to investigate options, including the completion of a detailed inspection to determine the future of the dam. However, those next steps are being hampered by the pandemic restrictions.

Residents are also upset that they had to find out about the LSRCA’s decision by reading a post on its website, as no formal notice was made by the agency or the Town to inform them.

Ms. Jagminas said the decision not to install stop-logs was not subject to public consultation, as it was a safety issue.

She did indicate, however, that letters have been sent to impacted property owners.

Residents can signup to stay informed about the issue though the LSRCA’s website at LSRCA.on.ca

The Change.org online petition can be viewed here