Nov 272008
- Wasn’t there a hydro development there before?
YES! – there was a small power station right beside the North Falls which had a maximum capacity of 4 cubic metres per second of water – the same as the existing Mill Stream power station. That previous power station was small enough that it didn’t require boating or swimming restrictions, safety booms, or safety fences. It was decommissioned in the 1950s because it was too small to be economical. The proposed new hydroelectric generating station would use 90 cubic metres of water per second and be large enough to disrupt recreational activity on Lake Muskoka and the Moon River in the vicinity of the power station.We now compete with many other tourism destinations, and this power station would be totally negative for all of Bala.
- Will the centuries old portage survive?
NO! – The historic portage between Lake Muskoka and the Moon River would be closed forever. Transport between the Moon River and Lake Muskoka would involve carrying canoes along River Street, then along Highway 169, and then down to the town dock – if the town dock is still safe and available for boating.