Website with information on the new dam proposal
The Namakan is river that forms the western border of much of the Quetico Provincal Wilderness and it flows into the Namakan Reservior with lies partially within the Voyageur National Park.
Ojibway Power and Energy Group (OPEG) is proposing damming the river for hydroelectrical purposes.
Issues
-This is a major spawning river for Lake Sturgeon, a species recognized as threatened in Canada
Some Info on the Sturgeon population in the Namakan River
-Of course, other species are possibly impacted but Sturgeon populations are severely hurt daming
-It borders on a scenic wilderness area – visited by tourists who bring money into the region.
Counterpoints
-Fish ladders are in the planning for this project so the Lake Sturgeon at least stand a chance
Info on different kinds of fish ladders
-At least they aren’t putting in a coal burning plant (Klean Koal Kompany or not)…
Overall
Let’s face it, the situation is screwed up. There is no good solution to solving energy issues. Burning anything for energy brings air and water quality issues. Nuclear has waste storage issues (and lasts a long, long time). Hydro, air, and solar all have different issues – none is a golden solution.
But why the hell put dams on a river that provides important spawning habitat for Lake Sturgeon?
There are other rivers that could be used that have less sensitive fish populations, also this is a river with some significant importance along the lines of tourist dollars – why mess with that?
damn dams. there's got to be a better solution….
I know. I wish someone would figure one out already.
Here's hoping that this doesn't go through and a new solution comes before everything is FUBAR
I'm still a bit in shock that at a time when we can talk about removing (some) dams new ones are being proposed…
Of course, some rivers (like the prairie Splatte in my backyard) are probably beyond recovery. Too much against it – dams, polution, irrigation, water storage reserviors, etc. I kinda wish that if they are going to keep it FUBAR'd that we'd at least get power out of it…
possible solution: http://www.poweronline.com/article.mvc/Fish-Survival-Study-On-Hydrokinetic-Power-0001
Thanks for the link – that's pretty cool, I haven't that before. I curious to see where that goes but from what I see I take it over a dam any day.