Potential Effects on the Lake and River
The Onimiki Project threatens the delicate balance of one of Quebec’s most treasured freshwater lakes. At the Laniel end of Lake Kipawa and along the Kipawa River, landowners, residents, and visitors rely on clean water, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable recreation. This project puts all of that at risk. The reduction of water flow by up to 80% generates many questions about the potential effects to Lake Kipawa and the Kipawa River. These questions and potential effects include but are not limited to the following:
Poor Water Quality with Increased Concentration of Pollutants
With less water flow to dilute pollutants, concentrations of nutrients, bacteria, E-coli and other contaminants can increase, potentially leading to algae blooms and other water quality problems.
Elevated Water Temperatures
Reduced flow can lead to higher water temperatures, which can stress aquatic life and decrease dissolved oxygen levels, potentially harming fish and other organisms.
Reduced Productivity
Changes in water flow and habitat can reduce the overall productivity of the lake ecosystem, impacting the food available for fish and other organisms.
Impact on Human Activities
Reduced water flow and resulting degradation of water quality can make fishing and swimming less enjoyable and accessible.
Populated Areas Will be Hardest Hit
Changes to water currents will have a significant impact on the ability for populated areas like Laniel, McAdams Bay and Dorval Bay to cycle the water from these areas.
Change in Spawning Habits Will Decrease Fish Populations
The proposed decrease in flow will directly affect spawning habits of Walleye and Lake Trout as a result of changing currents and sediment on spawning areas. Both species are a huge recreation and tourism attraction to the area.
Lake Trout Will Be First Species Affected From Lower Oxygen Levels
The potential decrease in oxygen levels within the affected area would have a direct impact on Lake Trout survival, a species of fish that has been targeted over the past number of years to increase their population.
Shallow McAdams Bay Marsh May Not Be The Natural Filter The Bay Needs
McAdams Bay is a very shallow and quite populated section of the lake. A significant section of the bay consists of a marsh. There are concerns for the health of this marsh should currents change and water temperatures increase.
Grand Chutes Will No Longer Be Grand
The Kipawa River and its renowned Grand Chutes would be reduced to a trickle having an impact on the attraction of the recently developed Opemican National Park. This would have an economic effect on the region with a reduction in tourist visits.
Significant Oxygen Level Decrease in Lake Temiscamingue
Reduced water flow down the Kipawa River will also reduce the quality of water in Lake Témiscamingue on many levels, as the oxygenated water from the current river will not be present.
The River Will Be Damaged Forever
The environmental impact to this change in water flow is far reaching and would create irreversible damage to the area.
Opemican Campsites and Canoe Routes Within Impacted Area
Opemican National Park has campsites and canoe routes in the affected area of Lake Kipawa where the water quality will decrease and the fish habitat will be disrupted.
Opemican Canoe Launch To Be Swallowed In Vegetation
Opemican National Park has an entry point and canoe storage at the end of Dorval Bay. This section of Dorval Bay is very shallow with significant vegetation. This would potentially be an area where harmful algae blooms could develop reducing the attraction to the area for tourists.
Grand Chutes Viewing Platform and Trails Gone To Waste
Opemican National Park has just recently (2019) completed developing the area of the Grand Chutes along with hiking trails along the KIpawa River. This development will be wasted as the attraction will no longer exist.