A joint investment of nearly $6 million from the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority and the federal government’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund will support work to rebuild the Kashwakamak dam to mitigate the risk of its failure and associated flooding and will safeguard Kashwakamak Lake and surrounding lands.
“Helping communities better prepare for and withstand the impacts of climate change protects people, homes, businesses, and infrastructure. By investing in a new dam for Kashwakamak Lake, we are partnering with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority to guard the lake and surrounding lands from future floods and droughts, while ensuring the safety of the nearly 50,000 people who call the area home,” said Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
The Mississippi River watershed is a 3,750-square kilometer area that is home to around 50,000 people. As well as supplying fresh drinking water, it supports fish and wildlife, alongside recreation and tourism, agriculture, and hydroelectric power.
“Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority has committed to spending over $10 million in its 10-year Capital Plan on infrastructure renewal, with replacement of the Kashwakamak Lake Dam the single largest project,” said Paul Kehoe, chair, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority.
The new dam on Kashwakamak Lake in the Mississippi River watershed will replace the original, built in 1910. The dam will protect the land from floods and droughts, and reduce the economic losses and disruptions to the community that these events bring. This project is especially timely now that the Mississippi River watershed experiences more frequent and severe extreme weather events due to the impacts of climate change.
“Assessing and prioritizing infrastructure needs is an ongoing effort at MVCA, and we appreciate the significant financial commitment the federal government has made to enable replacement of this 100-year old dam,” said Sally McIntyre, general manager, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority.
The federal government is investing $2,263,000 in this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF), while the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority is contributing $3,707,000.
“The new dam will be resilient to climate change, enhance our water management program and provide much needed flood and drought protection to the local communities, residents, businesses, and environment over the course of its service life,” Juraj Cunderlik, director of Engineering, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority.
Featured image: (Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority)
