CS32C - Concurrent Session 32C: Baskatong Reservoir Age vs. Climate Change and Increase Population Challenges

Abstract Description: Hydro-Quebec’s Baskatong reservoir facility is part of the Gatineau hydroelectric complex which generates all together 510 MW. It is located on the Gatineau River in Quebec. The hydropower facility is comprised of three concrete dams and eight dikes. It was built in 1927.

The main dam has a total length of 359 m and a maximum height of 30 m. The primary components of the dam include a twelve-bay gated spillway, six-bay low-level outlets (LLO) and a powerhouse facility. The powerhouse was built in 2007 with an installed capacity of 55.1 MW. According to Quebec’s dam safety act, the Baskatong reservoir facility should safely convey flows up to the probable maximum flood (PMF).

Baskatong reservoir’s operating rules regulate the inflows of the Gatineau River to ensure the energy production of the Paugan, Chelsea, and Rapides-Farmer power plants located downstream. These three facilities are run-of-river. Consequently, the Baskatong reservoir helps to store varying volumes of floodwaters reducing the risk of flooding downstream. Urbanization around the floodplain is progressing significantly affecting the way the reservoir is operated during floods. Analyzes have demonstrated that the impact of climate change over a 25-year horizon on the summer-autumn probable maximum precipitation (PMP) will increase approximately 11% and 7% on maximum discharges associated with winter warm spells. Since the 1980s, the number of winter warm spells has increased significantly. From the beginning of December, the reservoir level is lowered gradually to store the spring freshet safely in the reservoir.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the steps that were followed to find the best strategy to respond to climate change and increasing population challenges that the Baskatong reservoir facility is facing.