Lake Milo Dam

• Mitchelmore Engineering Co. Ltd.

» Scope of Project

Meco was retained by the Town of Yarmouth to complete a Dam Safety Review (DSR) of Lake Milo dam and fish ladder using the Dam Safety Guidelines of the Canadian Dam Association (CDA). Lake Milo dam was originally built in the late 1700's with a concrete fish ladder added to the original dam in 1938. The town manages the Lake Milo reservoir for recreation purposes.

The DSR identified the structure as deficient to the CDA guidelines and the fish ladder as deficient to requirements of the Department of Fisheries & Oceans (DFO) for a Pool and Weir facility. Meco prepared a remedial design to rehabilitate the fish ladder and the dam to meet current best practices.  Meco provided construction oversight and contract administration services for the remedial work, which was completed in 2012.

» Execution

A DSR is a formal evaluation of a dam and related structures that assesses whether the structure is managed effectively and whether the structure is safe according to industry best practices.  The DSR at Lake Milo identified the structure as deficient in hydraulic capacity and structural capacity, as well as identifying deterioration of the fish ladder as a deterrent to fish migration.  With the assistance of DFO, Meco prepared a remedial design for the fish ladder and the structure that allows it to meet best practice guidelines of the CDA without a complete re-build.  The work was completed without incident and in the prescribed budget and schedule.

» Project Highlights

Construction in 2012 resulted in a structure that will ensure continued recreational enjoyment for the citizens of Yarmouth for the foreseeable future and protection of the regions fishery resources.  Located on Main Street, the structure is an example of the state of infrastructure in Yarmouth.