Be Careful Around Hydroelectric Facilities, Even in Winter
Breathtaking sunset with golden and pink clouds over frozen lake in Lapland. Pedestrian and snowmobile roads go across snow covered lake. Winter season greeting card background with copy space.
Water runoff can occur in any season from the rivers along which Rio Tinto has power stations and spillways, namely the Peribonka, Grande Décharge, Petite Décharge and Saguenay rivers. Water runoff can cause rapid changes in water level and flow. Around hydroelectric facilities, the ice may be thinner, upstream and downstream, for a distance that is difficult to gauge.
We ask that hikers, fishers and snowmobilers heed the following safety measures, which are applicable year-round, including in winter:
- Keep a safe distance from hydroelectric facilities when on lakes, rivers, the shoreline or in the Pointe-des-Américains area.
- Heed signs that warn of hazardous areas.
- Pay attention to sound signals, which warn of an imminent runoff.
- When snowmobiling, stay on official marked trails. Refer to the interactive map from the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ): fcmqapi.ca
No water runoff is expected at this time. However, similar to last year, runoff may occur during the winter season at Spillway 4, on the Grande Décharge River, between the Dam-en-Terr Centre and the Isle-Maligne Power Station. Such runoff events could occur due to changing weather conditions or operational needs, including upgrades to the Isle-Maligne Power Station to prepare the water levels of Lake Saint-Jean for the next spring freshet.
