Generating Station 2 Intake Structure Replacement

Generating Station 2 (GS2) is a hydroelectric generating station operated by Energy Ottawa (doing business as Portage Power). GS2 is located at 1 Timberslide Street in Ottawa, Ontario. GS2 has been in operation since 1891. GS2 is located on the south-eastern end of Victoria Island on a piece of land referred to as Amelia Island. Victoria Island is situated within the core area of Canada's Capital Region. The facility is fed by the Bronson channel. The Bronson Channel is a historic and industrial waterway in the Ottawa River which flows between Victoria Island and the southern shoreline at Chaudière Falls. Although there have been refurbishments to the facility, the intake structure is aging and has experienced structural deterioration. This project aims to restore the structural integrity of the intake structure by replacing the deck supporting structure, including the trash rack system, stop logs and associated embedded components.

 

The work will be conducted within the Bronson Channel, downstream of the bulkhead, and around the intake deck area. The shorelines of the Bronson Channel are owned by the National Capital Commission (NCC). The proposed GS2 intake structure replacement project will take place on leased NCC lands and affect leased NCC structures. As such, it requires a Federal Land Use and Design Approval (FLUDA) under the National Capital Act, an environmental effects determination under Section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act, and a Land Access Permit from NCC prior to construction commencing on NCC lands. In addition to approvals from the NCC, the project will obtain any other applicable legislative permits and approvals prior to the commencement of construction works. These are anticipated to include legislative requirements from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Fisheries Act, Species at Risk Act and Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations - Letter of Advice), Transport Canada (Canadian Navigable Waters Act - No Interference with Navigation notification of work) and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Public Lands Act - work permit for the temporary construction works, occupational authority for the duration of the construction).

 

Construction will involve the use of a mobile crane and concrete equipment (e.g. trucks, pumps, etc.). Also, it may require other heavy equipment (e.g. flatbed truck, excavator, loader, boom lift, roll-off dumpsters, etc.) as required for demolition and material handling (e.g. manual chain hoist, pneumatic hammers, welding equipment, cutting torches). Equipment access to the site will be available from Middle Street, through an opening in the security fencing and down a ramp into the Bronson Channel, with a staging area on the adjacent lands. This is the same access route and staging area as used by the Chaudière Crossing Southern Structures Renewal Project in 2026 and will still be available for access in 2027. The existing parking lot at GS2 will be used for staging areas and scaffolding will be added for worker access down into the channel. The access road in the dewatered Bronson Channel will be extended to continue downstream to the GS2 intake. This will require a temporary small bridge to protect the remnants of the old Bronson Channel. An additional staging area in the Channel will be established on the bedrock shelf near the GS2 trash rack and will include a temporary pad for the crane.

 

The project would begin with removal of the existing steel trash rack (which collects debris) and bracing (including any concrete that encases these steel members), the concrete slab which sits on the bracing, the upstream faces of the piers that support the intake deck, and the upstream edge of the intake deck. Following removal, all elements would be replaced with like-for-like components. The repairs will take up the same footprint. The work will not require any excavation and will not affect the historic powerhouse itself, only the intake structure.

 

The need to disturb the environment has been reduced by making use of existing parking lots and the existing staging area and access ramps. Should additional disturbance to vegetation be required it will be limited to herbaceous species such as grass, wildflowers, and low-growing plants. No trees will be removed. The area has been surveyed and there are no flora species at risk present. The existing trees will be protected, and any herbaceous vegetation will be surveyed prior to removal to ensure that there are no nesting birds or milkweed present. The aquatic habitat in the Bronson Channel consists of deep water over bedrock and rocky substrate. No federally protected species have been found in this area during previous dewatering events.

 

A heritage review is required for any heritage feature that has the potential to be impacted on NCC lands. GS2 is a Classified Federal Heritage Building. An NCC Heritage Advisor reviewed the project's scope of work and concluded that it will have low impact on the site's heritage values. Portage Power is additionally planning to avoid impact to the "old log chute" feature which has heritage significance and is also located on NCC lands.

 

Construction is scheduled for mid-July to mid-October 2027. There will be no closures of public facilities (e.g. pathways) or detours during construction. 

 

Once construction is completed, any disturbed herbaceous vegetation will be restored with appropriate native seed mixes.

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Latest update

October 14, 2026 - The National Capital Commission intends to make a determination regarding whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, the National Capital Commission is inviting public comments until November 14, 2026 respecting that determination.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Notice of Intent - Generating Station 2 Intake Structure Replacement - October 14, 2026

Contacts

Federal Approvals and Conservation Programs
100-12 York Street
Ottawa ON K1N 5S6
Email: IA-EI@nnc-ccn.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Amelia Island, Ottawa (Ontario)

  • Nature of activity

    • Hydroelectric Energy

  • Assessment status

    In progress

  • Start date

    2026-10-14

  • Proponent

    Portage Power

  • Authorities

    • National Capital Commission

  • Assessment type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference number

    90835

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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