Camp Lake Dam

Watershed Location - This MNR dam is located at the outlet of Camp Lake, which discharges into Tasso Creek, and subsequently into Tasso Lake approximately 0.5 km downstream. The dam controls a drainage area of 17.8 km2 and the upstream lake has a surface area of 2.2 km2.

Structural Characteristics - This concrete dam, originally constructed in 1924 and reconstructed in 1965 and 1994, is approximately 3 m high and 40 m long, and consists of a 36.8-m spillwall, one 3.05-m sluice with 9 stop logs and a low- level square (0.76 m) outlet valve.

Operational Characteristics - The stop logs are not operated. The summer water level is maintained at a target operating level of 412.6 m GSC. A fall drawdown, between September 1 and October 15, of 1 m is achieved through the operation of the valve. The valve is then closed and the lake refills naturally.

Goal/Purpose of Dam Operation

The primary purpose of this dam is recreation. Lake trout spawning protection is achieved by the fall drawdown.

Tasso Lake Dam

Watershed Location - This MNR dam is located at the outlet of Tasso Lake, which drains into Tasso Creek and joins the Big East River 4 km downstream at the site of the former Finlayson Pond.

Structural Characteristics - The dam, originally constructed in 1902 and reconstructed several times since, is approximately 4 m high and 4.3 m long. It consists of a single stop-log bay, with eight stop logs, set between two concrete piers,

which form the embankment for a road over the top of the dam. The sill elevation is 397.12 m and the crest elevation of the stop logs is 399.56 m

Operational Characteristics-

The dam is operated on a regular basis since all flow must pass through the single sluiceway (flow over the top of the dam could wash out the road embankment) and upstream flooding is a concern. The summer target water elevation is 399.4 m. Drawdown of 0.4 m in March for spring flood control.

Goal/Purpose of Dam Operation

The purpose of this dam is recreational, but also provides municipal road access over Tasso Creek.

Source: Muskoka Water Web