100 megawatts of power for more than 100 threatened rivers
Over 100 rivers threatened for just a handful of megawatts
Do you enjoy spending time in nature, fishing for salmon, or practicing an outdoor sport near one of the major rivers? The river near you might be at risk due to Energy Bill 69 (PL 69), which allows developers to propose dam projects on over 100 rivers. Hydro-Québec may have no choice but to approve them!
How? Essentially, this amendment paves the way for private energy producers to obtain authorization from the Ministry of Energy to propose private hydroelectric complex projects on rivers with a power capacity of up to 100 MW. The government is thereby enabling the exploitation of over 100 rivers, including several salmon rivers, by private developers for medium-scale hydroelectric dams or through the acquisition of existing dams. This amendment, which was not requested by Hydro-Québec, poses a serious threat to biodiversity and local ecosystems.
Run-of-river power plants generate electricity by using the natural flow of water in the river. They operate at full capacity in spring and autumn when water flow is high, but much less during low-flow periods in summer and winter. Reservoir-based power plants store water and can operate at full capacity during the 100 to 300 hours of extreme cold, when Hydro-Québec struggles to meet demand. Run-of-river power plants are not a solution to the province's energy needs.
Two rivers could soon bear the consequences of this new opening: the Gatineau River and the Kipawa River, where developers are merely waiting for the right moment to submit their dam projects.
Discover the 108 rivers threatened by Pl 69
The Rivières Foundation has identified on this map more than a hundred rivers that could be targeted by private producers: those where Atlantic salmon spawn, those used for whitewater activities such as kayaking, canoeing, and rafting, and those with exceptional waterfalls. Some high-flow and steep-gradient rivers are protected in natural parks. However, their protection is not guaranteed. A "proposed aquatic reserve" status could protect these rivers from exploitation, as it excludes the designated area from any form of forestry, mining exploration, and energy production. However, this is a transitional status and has not yet been legally recognized. Currently, there is no permanent or formal legal procedure for protecting rivers in Quebec. All this natural heritage must be protected, not harnessed. This map shows the rivers threatened by the proposed additional hydropower leasing by the government. natural parks . Despite that, their protection is not guaranteed. A " proposed aquatic reserve could protect these rivers from exploitation, as it removes the designated area from any form of forestry, mining exploration, and energy production. However, it is a transitional status and still does not have a legally recognized status. Otherwise, there is currently no formal or permanent legal procedure for river protection in Quebec. All this natural heritage must be protected, not harnessed. This map points to the rivers threatened by the additional hydropower leasing proposed by the government.
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Table with the list of rivers and their potential in megawatts
These 108 rivers have the potential to provide power between 50 and 100 MW, making them attractive to developers looking to carry out private energy projects. By navigating this table, you will find key information about the threatened rivers in Quebec, including their power potential, flow rates, elevation changes, and lengths.
Analysis methodology
Hydro-Québec refuse de rendre public le potentiel hydroélectrique des rivières du Québec. Nous nous sommes donc tournés vers des données produites en 1995 dans le cadre d’une consultation présidée par Alban D’Amours: Pour un Québec efficace : rapport de la Table de consultation du débat public sur l’énergie (1994-1995). Nous nous sommes basés sur les données de ce document qui donne le potentiel de puissance chacune des rivières. Nous avons choisi de conserver les rivières qui ont un potentiel de plus de 40 MW, parce que la technologie a beaucoup évolué et que la puissance que l’on peut tirer d’un site d’eau vive s’est considérablement accrue au cours des 30 dernières années.
Data access
- In the D'Amours report, the hydroelectric power potential for each river was broken down into three components:
- According to many experts, the puissance théorique de la rivière, aussi appelée intrinsèque, est le potentiel estimé d’une rivière à partir de cartes, d’images satellites d’informations topographiques et de débits de tronçons.
- The potentiel constaté, ou puissance aménageable, qui est souvent issu d’une étude conduite sur les lieux en considérant le cumul des tronçons avec des caractéristique qui peuvent être économiquement aménagés afin de produire de la puissance électrique.
- According to many experts, the puissance aménagée (ou production actuelle) met en lumière la puissance des turbines hydroélectriques en production sur les rivières.
- Dans le tableau, nous avons aussi séparé les différentes rivières en 3 statuts distincts, en fonction des informations que nous possédons : projet envisagé ; projet en élaboration ; projet annulé.
- Nous avons ensuite retiré les rivières qui ont déjà été ciblées pour de grands ouvrages, les rivières ou les projets ont déjà été réalisés (depuis 1995), les rivières qui sont considérées comme protégées et d’autres pour lesquelles nous n’avions pas suffisamment d’informations.
- Nous croyons que notre liste sous-estime le nombre réel de rivières qui pourraient être intéressantes pour un producteur privé.
The Energy Bill No. 69 (PL 69)
In September 2024, the Fondation Rivières presented a brief to the parliamentary committee, denouncing Bill 69 on energy reform. We strongly oppose the increase in the hydraulic power leasing capacity threshold from 50 to 100 megawatts, which will encourage developers to submit run-of-river dam projects. The current limit is set at 50 MW, making prices non-competitive compared to win
A dam upstream of the Kipawa River and a national park
The former Tabaret project, abandoned by Hydro-Québec in the 1990s, has resurfaced in another form: the Onimiki project in Témiscamingue . The project would generate 60 MW (about 30 km north of Témiscaming and 15 km south of Laniel) with the Onimiki Nord Plant, a run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station. The project plans to divert water from the Kipawa River just upstream of Opémican National Park. This diversion will reduce the Kipawa River's flow and negatively impact its ecosystem, endangering its biodiversity.
"According to data released by Renewable Energy Onimiki, the Kipawa River would lose up to 70% of its flow during certain times of the year."
Two dam projects on the Gatineau River
The same issue arises for the Gatineau River: two new dam projects have been revived on the river, despite having been blocked 20 years ago. These projects would destroy a series of rapids where more than 500 canoeists and kayakers gather each year as part of the Haute-Gatineau Whitewater Festival, which was created specifically to prevent such projects. The company Evolugen / Brookfield plans to build two power plants near Grand-Remous and Maniwaki by reaching a commercial agreement with Hydro-Québec and collaborating with the local community's Band Council.
A threat to the playground of whitewater sports enthusiasts
Whitewater sports enthusiasts are also directly affected by this measure, as it targets numerous rivers of interest for these activities, including the Matawin, Mistassibi, Rouge River (Outaouais), Petite-Nation River, and many others. These rivers, true paradises for kayakers, canoeists, and other adventurers of turbulent waters, are not only spaces for sporting practice but also areas renowned for their rapids. These rivers offer a variety of courses, from calm stretches to more dynamic sections. The closure or restricted access to these rivers would have a direct impact on this community.
Your Attachment to Rivers
Salmon river
Several salmon rivers are threatened by the increase of the 50 to 100 megawatt threshold in Bill 69. The construction of dams harms salmon spawning despite mitigation and monitoring measures implemented by the developers and Hydro-Québec.
As part of its environmental impact study in 2008 on the hydroelectric complex project on the Romaine River, Hydro-Québec highlighted the risk that the construction of such a site could alter the river's flow and temperature, affecting the salmon habitat downstream of the main waterfall. Massively rock-armoring the banks downstream of a dam can also cause a change in the distribution of
« The most important thing today is to see that the water is still flowing, that there are no dams, and that when I'm on the river, the salmon comes to say hello (...) Now, seeing a salmon jump makes me much happier than having it at the end of the line. »
Protection of threatened waterfalls
In 2001, the Quebec government released water rights for 36 waterfalls across 24 rivers and encouraged private developers to submit projects for power plants. Four run-of-the-river projects were selected by Hydro-Québec and fought by a large coalition of organizations and artists mobilized around the "Adopt a River" campaign. Result: the 36 waterfalls were saved, and several ecotourism projects were developed around these waterfalls. It even inspired Roy Dupuis and his allies to launch the Fondation Rivières! With Bill 69, we are witnessing a setback. If this bill moves forward with its intention to increase the threshold from 50 to 100 megawatts, the battle will have to be fought again.
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« The BAPE had recommended that the destruction of the Romaine River be compensated by the protection of a river with equivalent aesthetic and hydromorphological qualities. The river that most closely resembles the now-deceased Romaine is undoubtedly the Magpie, yet it is still not protected, preventing future generations from experiencing what a great wild river, vigorous and dotted with waterfalls and rapids, once was. It is crucial that the Magpie be protected forever. »
