Jan 132014
I have personally visited the following nearby hydro-electric generating stations:
- Hanna Chute (Bracebridge)
- Matthias Falls (Bracebridge)
- Minden
- Muskoka South Falls (Bracebridge)
- Trethewey Falls (Bracebridge)
- Bracebridge Falls
- Wilson’s Falls (Bracebridge)
- High Falls (Bracebridge)
- Ragged Rapids (Bala)
- Wasdell Falls (Severn Bridge)
- Fenelon Falls
- Auburn (Peterborough)
- London Street (Peterborough)
- Shand Dam (Fergus)
- Heywood (St. Catherines)
- Elliot Falls (Kawartha Lakes)
- Fletcher’s Horse World (Waterford)
- South River (north of Sundridge)
And as summarized here, none of these present the risks to public safety that the proposed generating station at the Bala Falls would.
None of the above generating stations:
- Have in-water recreation both upstream and downstream within 50′ – but Bala does.
- Have public and private boat docks within 200′ – but Bala does.
- Have private residences within 200′ – but Bala does.
- Are the focal point for visitors to the local town – but the Bala Falls are.
- Have shops and restaurants and other public infrastructure, such as parking lots, parks, vantage points, and public washrooms, facilitating and promoting tourism activities at the falls.
The Bala Falls are simply a different situation than elsewhere.
The Bala Falls are simply not suitable for the proposed hydro-electric generating station, as it would create extreme dangers to the long-time in-water recreational activities; wading, swimming, scuba diving, canoeing, and so on. The area’s economy depends on these activities continuing.
Mitchell Shnier