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Parc des Chutes- de-la-Chaudière Mini Hydro Project: Enhancement Through Development

Parc des Chutes- de-la-Chaudière Mini Hydro Project: Enhancement Through Development. Lessons from a success story. by Jean–Pierre Fau and Guy Dufort. Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière Mini Hydro Project. Development - 1993–2000 Transfer of public water rights to Innergex - 1993

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Parc des Chutes- de-la-Chaudière Mini Hydro Project: Enhancement Through Development

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  1. Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière Mini Hydro Project: Enhancement Through Development Lessons from a success story by Jean–Pierre Fau and Guy Dufort

  2. Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière Mini Hydro Project • Development - 1993–2000 • Transfer of public water rights to Innergex - 1993 • Impact study - 1994–1995 • Public hearings - 1996–1997 • Project approvals and licensing - 1997 • Project construction - 1997–1999 • Commissioning - 2000 2

  3. Location 3

  4. The urban setting in 1929 4

  5. The first powerhouse in 1901 5

  6. The powerhouse in 1920 6

  7. Two of the three turbines generating a total of 3.5 MW Turbine Layout 7

  8. Spring breakup in 1969 8

  9. 40 meter breach in the dam Breach in the dam • The old power station was decommissioned in 1970 9

  10. The urban setting in 1994 10

  11. Chaudière Falls before the project • Before the mini hydro development, Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière was almost totally abandoned. • Public access to the park was poorly indicated. • Trails were badly maintained and sometimes dangerous. • Two old and unattractive structures remained, the old dam and the intake. • There was no government or municipal funding. 11

  12. Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière Mini Hydro Project • Project on the Chaudière River • Located at the 35-meter-high falls in Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière • Located in a public park in a fast-growing city (Lévis) on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River near Quebec City and bordered by two highways • 254-meter-long ,7-meter-high concrete dam on the falls • Installed capacity of 24 MW with two horizontal Kaplans 12

  13. Strong focus on environmental integration from the start • Innergex, the promoter of the Chaudière project, paid special attention to environmental integration from the beginning of the project. • The company’s bid proposal included integration principles that were maintained and improved throughout the implantation process. These included— • Enhancement of the falls and maintenance of an esthetic discharge during the summer season • Maintenance of an ecological discharge to preserve downstream fish habitats all year round • Architecturally pleasing powerhouse design • No switchyard • Establishment of a special fund dedicated to restoring and maintaining public park infrastructures • Maintaining public access to the powerhouse 13

  14. The search for community consensus Consultation - Information • A methodical, broad-reaching approach • Transparency • An ongoing presence • Continuous information before and during construction 14

  15. Maintaining the visual appeal of the falls • Preserving the aquatic ecosystem between the falls and the tailrace outlet • Integrating the works into the park Three key issues 15

  16. Protect the visual appeal of the falls by maintaining a flow rate of between 25 and 37 m3/s during the day, natural water supplies permitting. First issue: controlled esthetic flow 16

  17. Before39 m3/s After25 m3/s Before - 39 m3/s After - 25 m3/s 17

  18. Before16 m3/s After15 m3/s Before - 16 m3/s After - 15 m3/s 18

  19. Maintain a minimum ecological controlled flow rate of 4 m3/s, natural water supplies permitting Second issue: aquatic ecosystem 19

  20. General design 20

  21. Real view from the footbridge Anticipated view from the footbridge Third issue: integration of works 21

  22. Real view from the tailrace Anticipated view from the tailrace Architecture 22

  23. Typical interpretation panel Powerhouse roof and skylights Interpretation 23

  24. A few figures • $350,000 for park redevelopment • $346,000 lump sum payment • $100,000 annually 24

  25. Coffer dam on the west bank Dry construction of project works 24

  26. The two penstocks 25

  27. Lessons learned • The Chaudière mini hydro project was a challenging project in a public park just south of Quebec City. The keys to success were— • A comprehensive approach integrating financial, social, and environmental values shared by the developer, project designers, and the community • An open-minded attitude and a willingness to listen • The patience to give the community the opportunity to express its concerns The community got involved when ecologists were using their standard arguments against the project. 26

  28. In short • Vision • Flexibility • Shared values 27

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