The Ontario Rivers Alliance welcomes you to our site!

Ontario Rivers Alliance (ORA) is a Not-for-Profit grassroots organization with a focus on healthy river ecosystems all across Ontario. ORA members represent numerous organizations such as CPAWS-Ottawa Valley, Friends of Temagami, Paddle Canada, Whitewater Ontario, along with many stewardships, associations, and private and First Nations citizens, who have come together to ensure the rash of waterpower proposals currently going through the approvals process are environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.

We all want Green Energy, but let’s ensure it is truly Green, and not the “Green-washed” version that is being proposed for many of our Ontario rivers.  Let’s ensure that hydroelectric dams already in existence are operating efficiently and provide for fish passage and protection from turbine mortality.

Climate change is upon us, and is quickly making “Water” our gravest concern.  River flows have never been lower than in these past few years.

Let’s ensure river developments take into account the best advice of climate scientists, and are sustainable for many years to come.

Our future generations are depending on us.

Ontario Rivers are Under Assault!

Currently there is a rash of 87 hydroelectric proposals on Ontario Rivers going through the approvals process – with over 2,000 or more sites earmarked.  The Green Energy Act with its accompanying FIT Program is the only thing that has made many of these rivers feasible for waterpower development – with a 50% bonus to produce power during peak demand.  Ontario Rivers are in trouble because our government has put the developer in charge of the Environmental Assessment process, instead of the MOE and MNR, and there is no possibility of a “no outcome”.    So, our government has put the FOX in charge of the chicken coop!

Learn more about why hydroelectric development that holds water back in holding ponds for up to 48 hours is:

1.   Bad for the River Ecosystem:

These dams that hold water back for up to 48 hours will have a devastating effect on river ecosystems:

• Lower oxygen levels
• Increase in methyl mercury, nitrate and phosphorus levels
• Water warms in head ponds
• Water withheld from downstream flow for up to 48 hours
• Habitat is destroyed
• River water becomes dirty with silt and nutrients – sound like a recipe for more algae?

Hydroelectric is not “Green” when river flow is held back in head ponds – it is in fact “Dirty Energy”.

Dam It was created by three Grade 12 students, Kapuskasing District High School, as a school Science Project. This film illustrates the effects of hydroelectric dams and climate change on the Kapuskasing River.

2.   Bad for Fishermen & Snowmobilers:

• Turbines chop up and kill Fish and Eels
• Fish migration for spawning is blocked
• Prime Spawning areas are destroyed
• Entire species of fish are threatened
• Rapid rise and fall of river water levels on daily basis makes ice unsafe for ice fishermen & snowmobilers

3.   Bad for Our Health & Safety:

• Water held in holding ponds increases methyl mercury and degrades water quality
• Many people rely on river water for their drinking water and daily household needs
• Dams can fail from extreme weather events and flooding
• Rapid rise and fall in river water levels causes turbulence and can put fishermen, swimmers and boaters at risk

4.   Bad for the Community & Local Economy:

Ontario Rivers offer  a thriving eco-tourism opportunity for small businesses:

• Prime fishing and tourist viewing areas are destroyed
• Pristine and unique features are replaced with a concrete dam, chain link fence and warning sirens
• Tourists will not travel hundreds of miles to see a concrete dam

If you are interested in learning more, please explore our site and be sure to check out our Blog.

We invite you to join us in our mission.

“Our future generations are depending on us.”