Little Long Dam Safety Project
The Little Long Dam Safety Project was a significant initiative by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to rehabilitate and enhance the spill capacity at the Adam Creek Sluiceway to meet new dam safety standards. The project aimed to increase overall discharge capacity of the Little Long headpond by 40%, significantly increasing the electricity generated at this site.
There were three main components to the project:
- The addition of four new concrete sluiceway bays, providing the additional discharge capacity
- The replacement of 10 existing sluice gates, gate hoist systems and superstructures to improve operational safety and reliability
- The installation of an upstream splash wall to protect against wave and debris overtopping
KGS Group was initially retained by OPG to carry out the concept design for the project, as well as undertake pre-construction geotechnical investigations. The final design and construction phase was executed by OPG under a design-build arrangement with Kiewit as the EPC contractor, where KGS Group’s role transitioned to owner’s engineer. In this role, KGS Group acted as an extension of OPG’s team, contributing to overall project management, contract administration, advisory and technical support. Our responsibilities included review of the contractor and designer’s work for compliance with good practice and the performance specification requirements, carrying out quality assurance and formal quality audits and providing resident engineering services to participate in overall coordination, monitoring, commissioning and turnover.
With careful planning, Little Long Dam remained in operation during the project’s four-year lifecycle. Due to the remote site location, the project required setting up a camp to support over 200 workers, complete with all necessary facilities.
Throughout the project, it was a priority to have local Indigenous community members and women contribute to the labour hours. This helped to build strong relationships with the community and ensure the project and result would benefit all involved.
Project Highlights
- Construction of four new concrete sluiceway bays to increase overall discharge capacity of the Little Long headpond by 40%
- Replacement of 10 sluice gates, the gate hoist systems and superstructures, which improved operational safety and reliability
- Installation of upstream splash wall which provides protection against wave and debris overtopping
- Continuous plant operation maintained during staged construction over four years
- 20% of hours were worked by local Indigenous community members and 25% of hours were worked by women
- 11% of construction contract value provided by First Nation subcontracts
- Over 2.1 million person‑hours worked
- Enhanced spillway capacity and dam safety compliance, improved operational reliability and increased generation
