Dam Facilities and Status Info

< THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT >

ABOUT
The Public Service Commission is a separate, corporate body, operating the water utility of the Town of Bridgewater, providing potable water for approximately 3,100 customers and the fire protection through hydrants and sprinkler services. Customers exist both in Town and in the county. 

As part of our efforts to ensure the public is informed of changes to the status of our dams and the implications of different condition levels, the following condition scale is being made available to the public:

You can use the interactive map on this page to keep up to date on the latest changes to conditions at the dam.

Details about each condition status, how the status is arrived at, and actions taken by staff are outlined below the map. 

NORMAL CONDITION (GREEN)
The reservoir level is below the 2-year flood level with all stoplogs in.

FLOOD SITUATION (BLUE)
>>> Out-of-bank water levels
The reservoir level exceeds the anticipated 2 year flood level and is about to flow around the old cutoff wall.

DAM ALERT (YELLOW)
>>> Abnormal condition poses a threat
Water is flowing around the old cutoff wall and approaching Weagles embankment crest.

Details: 

Abnormal condition affecting dam performance has been identified as requiring response, e.g.:

• Signs of erosion on the downstream slope;
• Earthquake damage;
• Increased leakage;

Severe structural deformation or deterioration.

Action: Initiate internal notifications.

DAM EMERGENCY (ORANGE)
>>> Potential dam failure is developing
The reservoir just below the Weagles concrete abutment crest, with waves likely splashing over, overtopping is imminent.

Details: 

• Erosion on downstream slope retrogressing towards crest
• Silt-laden water observed in seepage
• Rate of seepage increasing
• Displacement results in imminent failure of dam

 Actions: 

• Initiate external notifications.
• Provide situational briefings.
• Discuss time available for evacuation with NS EMO/REMO and external stakeholders.
• Implement mitigation actions.
• Carry out on-site monitoring.

DAM FAILURE (RED)
>>> Dam failure is imminent or occurring
The reservoir water level is at the Weagles concrete abutment. Overtopping of the dams is occurring or imminent.

Details: 

• Erosion causing loss of crest height
• Sinkholes enlarging at an uncontrolled rate
• Seepage rate escalating continually

Actions: 

• Initiate external notifications.
• Provide situational briefings.
• Discuss time available for evacuation with NS EMO/REMO and external stakeholders.
• Implement mitigation actions.
• Carry out on-site monitoring.
• Evacuate all Public Service Commission of Bridgewater staff and local residents to safety

KNOW THE RISKS OF FLOODING
To learn more about the risks associated with flooding and how you can mitigate the potential risk to life and property, visit the Lunenburg County Regional Emergency Management Organization's website by clicking here.