Latchford Dam
About the dam
The Latchford Dam is located on the Montreal River in Latchford, Ontario, approximately 130 kilometres north of North Bay. The dam is primarily used for maintaining water levels in Bay Lake, which is a source of drinking water for the town of Latchford. In addition, the dam is vital for tourism in the region.
Description of the dam
The Latchford Dam contains:
- 1 vertical lift gate
- 14 openings with stop logs
- 14 piers
- 2 abutments
Water flowing through the dam is controlled by timber stop logs. The stop logs stacked in the opening of the gate regulate the amount of water passing through the dam. The vertical lift gate allows easy access for maintenance on the main deck.
History of the dam
The Latchford Dam was built in 1913 to make navigation possible on the Montreal River for commercial logging and mining.
Since its construction, the dam has been owned and operated by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), except for the period from 1960 to 1986 when Ontario Hydro was responsible for its operation. In 1986, the responsibility for operation reverted back to PSPC.
Replacement project
The Latchford Dam was replaced in 2017. First, a new dam was built next to the existing Latchford Dam. Once the new structure was complete, the existing dam was removed.
The new dam includes a public multi-purpose passage with fishing areas and access for all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles to cross the river.
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