OPG has constructed the weir as a key water control structure on the Montreal river as part of the replacement of the original 3.6MW Hound Chute plant, which was built almost a century ago.
The Can$70.5M (US$62.5M) redevelopment scheme, including construction of a 10.2MW new plant, is to be completed by 2010.
The weir has inflatable structures supporting panel with a row of steel gates.
Hound Chute is located on the Lower Montreal river, near the towns of Latchford and Cobalt. The remotely-controlled plant has four units installed over 1910-11 and OPG received the facility into its portfolio 10 years ago.
The plant was acquired previously by the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, in 1944, from Northern Ontario Power Co. Hound Chute was constructed to help meet rising industrial demand as mining increased in the Cobalt area.
