Analysis methodology - 25 major threatened wild rivers
We've done a great deal of research and analysis, using a few publicly available data and discussions with experts more or less close to Hydro-Québec, since the latter refuses to disclose this information on the grounds that it's a trade secret. In the absence of anything better, we've gone for the most important criterion, river flow. Our list includes rivers with a flow of over 100 m3 per second.
Data access
We have compiled a list of 25 threatened rivers to the best of our knowledge, based mainly on the flow (m3/second) measured by the Center d'expertise hydrique du Québec on 514 unharnessed rivers in Quebec. From this list, we have targeted 25 rivers whose flow varied between 102 m3/second for the river Inuksuac and 2,096m3/second for the river Koksoak in Nunavik (Nouveau-Québec).
This basic information is the most conclusive for identifying the hydroelectric potential of rivers, since power data (MW) is not part of the data published by the MELCCFP. We had partial information dating from 2012 concerning the power of certain rivers through BANQ databases.
Elements for identifying large rivers with hydroelectric potential
If flow rate is the main criterion to assess the power and megawatt potential of a river, it's not the only one. To do things properly, we should have taken into account the vertical dropThe gradient has to be taken into account in a specific way over certain distances and in distinct sections, which complicates the assessment. The difference in altitude has to be taken into account specifically over certain distances and by distinct sections, which makes the assessment more complex. We were therefore unable to include it in our analysis.
The uneven terrain and the presence of falls favour reservoir construction for large dams. For a more complete analysis, we also need to assess the configuration of the watershed around each river, bearing in mind, for example, that a valley facilitates the creation of reservoirs and the reservoir storage capacity. This information has not been considered in our analysis, due to the lack of available data and the complexity of coupling these different criteria together.
The hydraulic capacity of watersheds is highly complex to assess, and indicates the movement of water in a river and the maximum capacity that the area or a future dam can channel. It is made up of all the above parameters, and the sum of their interactions: watershed capacity, gradient, watershed shape to create a reservoir offering power and river flow. We did not have access to these various data and their analysis, given Hydro-Québec's refusal of access to information.
No run-of-river power plants?
We have chosen not to consider run-of-river power plants in our classification, as these plants use current hydraulic power without the creation of reservoirs and dams. These plants are of lesser importance in terms of hydroelectric power output, as there is not enough flow in the rivers in winter, making this type of generation useless during the winter peak period. It is highly unlikely that Hydro-Québec will develop run-of-river power plants, even if they could be done privately.
Take action to protect our last great wild rivers
Access to information request denied by Hydro-Québec
We sought to obtain a list of the major natural rivers where the development of large reservoir dams could be envisaged, including the name of the river, the surface area of the watershed, the volume of energy envisaged in megawatts, the power envisaged in TWh and the surface area of the estimated reservoir. However, in November 2023, our request for access to information was denied by Hydro-Québec.
Hydro-Québec's response was that the disclosure of this information could jeopardize commercial transactions involving agreements or contracts, and harm the company's economic interests and competitiveness. Hydro-Québec's response was that it is impossible to share this information, as it is a commercial secret, whereas it should be in the public domain. The competitiveness mentioned is surprising, to say the least, given that Hydro-Québec holds a monopoly.
Hydro-Québec's culture of secrecy was defensible at a time when the state-owned company wanted to remain competitive in its export activities on international markets. It's hard to justify this lack of transparency today, when exports are kept to a minimum and full details are available on Quebec's wind power deposits, the other major source of generation.
Luckily, however, we had access to contacts close to Hydro-Québec who helped us identify the research method for targeting large rivers with significant hydroelectric potential.
Raw data for endangered wild rivers
| Name of the river | Modulus flow (m3/s) | Length (km) | Height difference (m) | Catchment area (km2) | Potential MW* (in MW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koaksoak | 2096 | 134 | 15 | 137010 | |
| Nottaway | 1158 | 724 | 418 | 65786 | |
| George | 871 | 475 | 463 | 41699 | 3100 |
| Baleine (Grande riv. de la) | 701 | 418 | 427 | 42735 | 3000 |
| Baleine (à la) | 589 | 400 | 600 | 31857 | 1100 |
| Harricana | 577 | 483 | 305 | 29267 | |
| Arnaud (Payne) and Pelletier (Hamelin) | 568 | 262 | 158 | 49469 | 460 |
| Leaves | 556 | 386 | 183 | 42476 | 700 |
| Aguanish | 164 | 257 | 671 | 5776 | |
| Ashuapmushuan | 313 | 193 | 270 | 15908 | |
| Bell (Nottaway 0807) | 450 | 241 | 64 | 22222 | |
| Broadback | 381 | 451 | 396 | 20849 | |
| Decoumte (Povungnituk 0973) | 149 | 290 | 378 | 13701 | |
| Innuksuac | 102 | 396 | 236 | 10280 | |
| Magpie | 179 | 290 | 610 | 7640 | 850 |
| Larch (aux) | 654 | 272 | 258 | 42735 | 380 |
| Moisie | 449 | 435 | 533 | 19192 | |
| Nastapoka | 175 | 402 | 366 | 13364 | 500 |
| Natashquan | 369 | 378 | 579 | 16110 | |
| Olomane | 137 | 257 | 472 | 5439 | |
| Petit Mécatina (du) | 429 | 451 | 610 | 19580 | 1200 |
| Petite riv. à la Baleine | 225 | 290 | 427 | 15851 | 670 |
| Pontax | 160 | 193 | 244 | 8133 | |
| Saint Augustin | 292 | 193 | 427 | 9510 | |
| St.Paul | 165,9 | 161 | 347 | 7370 |
