The Carillon hydroelectric dam changed communities on both sides of the Ottawa River forever, and Shirley Fourney wants to share the stories of the farms and farmers along Front Road in East Hawkesbury affected by the project.
The hydroelectric dam and 752-megawatt generating station was constructed by Hydro-Québec between 1959 and 1964. The dam raised the Ottawa River by 62 feet/19 metres at Carillon and nine feet/2.7 metres at Grenville. In between, the Long Sault Rapids disappeared, along with farms and homes. In East Hawkesbury, lots one to 16 along Front Road, which was the original route of Highway 17, were affected in whole or part by the rising waters. The properties were purchased by hydro and residents had to relocate. Fourney said the experience was similar to the Lost Villages on the St. Lawrence River which were affected by the seaway and power project.
Fourney, who grew up in East Hawkesbury and now lives in Saskatoon, is writing a book about how the farms and families on Front Road were affected by the dam project. She has already done considerable research but wants more old photos and documents to complete the work. Fourney is planning to visit the region in August 2024 and wants to have as much information ahead of time as possible. She particularly needs information from members of the francophone families who had property in the area. Fourney is also interested in obtaining photos and documents related to the two schools that were affected, Public School Section (S.S.) 1 and Separate School 1.
“I’m wanting to get the word out,” Fourney said.
Fourney is planning to publish English and French versions of the book.
“It’s going to be a big book. 16 lots is a lot of land,” she said.
Anyone with information and documents related to farms along Front Road in East Hawkesbury affected by the construction of the Carillon hydroelectric dam is invited to contact Shirley Fourney at 306-374-6295 or at [email protected].
