Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is working with two Indigenous Nations to develop fish habitat improvements on the Wanapitei River as part of its Coniston and Stinson hydropower redevelopment project in Canada.
The utility is modernising the Coniston and Stinson generating stations near Sudbury in northeast Ontario. The 121-year-old Coniston plant and 101-year-old Stinson facility will provide a combined capacity of 12MW following the work.
The redevelopment will involve replacing the powerhouses at both sites, installing two modern turbine-generator units at each station and adding new mechanical and electrical systems.
As part of the project, OPG’s Indigenous Working Group recently visited locations upstream of Stinson with representatives of the Wahnapitae First Nation and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation to assess potential fish habitat enhancements.
The group considered options including spawning habitat, artificial reefs, shoreline revegetation and reconnecting waterways. Fish habitat cribs were subsequently identified as the preferred approach.
The artificial structures are designed to provide fish with shelter and habitat. OPG said their construction could also create opportunities for Indigenous community involvement.
OPG holds weekly meetings with representatives of the two First Nations, while Indigenous land guardians visit the project sites every two weeks and report observations from the field.
The utility is aiming to finalise the specifications for the habitat enhancements this autumn. Implementation is expected to take place as a community initiative during winter 2027 or 2028.
