Dam rehabilitation is complete
$3.8-million project replaced spillway, rebuilt earthen berm; Historical panels to be installed to explain the importance of the mills and dams in Millbrook area
MILLBROOK — A $3.8-million project to rehabilitate the Millbrook Dam has been completed.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday morning at Needler’s Mill to celebrate the completion of the project. Cavan Monaghan Township Mayor Scott McFadden was joined by Haliburton-Kawartha
Lakes-Brock MP Jamie Schmale and MPP Laurie Scott, the province’s infrastructure minister, along with township councils and Otonabee Region Conservation Authority staff and directors at the local ceremony.
Otonabee Conservation and the township began the rehabilitation work at the Millbrook Dam in January 2018 through $2.2 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments.
The project included the replacement of the spillway and the reconstruction of the earthen berm surrounding the dam.
“The Millbrook Dam is a cultural landmark in this community,” McFadden stated. “Its restoration preserves a significant piece of our history and restores a natural space that has been, and will be, enjoyed by both residents and visitors of the township.”
The Millbrook and Cavan Historical
Society has compiled information about the the location’s dams and mills that will be placed on panels at a kiosk on the downstream side of the earthen berm next to Needler’s Mill.
Millbrook has had a mill since the community was founded in 1820.
The berm is intended to stop any water from flowing east of the spillway during high water.
A ceremonial tree planting was also held to celebrate Otonabee Conservation’s 60th anniversary.