Ruth Falls

Construction has been underway since July 2025, and crews have made significant progress. Completed work includes:

• New access roads
• Demolition and construction of the east spillway
• Demolition and partial construction of the west spillway
• Construction of the west retaining wall
• Completion of both the east and west sluice bays
• Preparatory work for fish passage upgrades including rock breaking
  

These steps form the foundation of the upgraded dam structure.

Once the reservoir was drawn down, crews encountered several conditions could not be fully assessed earlier due to water elevations. These included:

• Depth and precise location of bedrock along the dam and fish passage
• Condition of the concrete below the water line

These findings required adjustments to the design and additional construction work. Major weather events, including a significant rain event in November and heavy snow events throughout the winter also contributed to construction delays.

The original completion target of March 31, 2026 is no longer achievable, which means the water levels at the Ruth Falls Headpond will remain lowered for an extended period.

Work will continue through the spring and is now expected to extend throughout summer 2026, depending on conditions. Spring flooding may also temporarily slow certain activities. Until the dam structure / fish passage are fully operational, Nova Scotia Power is required to keep the Ruth Falls Headpond in a lowered state.

Remaining work includes:

• Building the east spillway piers
• Completing the west spillway bays and piers
• Installing the rubber dams
• Constructing the center sluice bay
• Upgrades to existing fish passage
• Addition of new eel passage

To help maintain momentum, Nova Scotia Power is:

• Adjusting the construction sequence
• Prioritizing completion of the main dam structure first
• Extending workdays and increasing weekend work
• Coordinating closely with snow, access, and environmental teams

Nova Scotia Power is working closely with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to minimize impacts and compensate for residual impacts to fish passage.

Work on the upgraded fish passage—which includes upgrades to the upstream fishway, downstream bypass, and installation of an eel ramp will continue as the main dam work progresses. Once the headpond is rewatered and the upgrades are complete, fish passage will be reinstated.

Yes. Nova Scotia Power is seeking:

• An extension to drawdown activities through its Fisheries Authorization Act

These updates reflect the adjusted schedule and construction sequence.

Construction will continue through the spring and into the summer, and residents should expect ongoing impacts beyond general construction traffic. These include:

• Construction activity and access: Increased equipment on site, periodic traffic delays, active work on some weekends, and occasional noise. We’ll work to minimize disruption and provide notice where possible.
• Water supply follow‑up: We will re‑instate water supply support for local residents living along the Ruth Falls reservoir whose wells were impacted by the water draw-down. Our team will reach out directly to affected households with next steps and timing.
• Recreational access constraints: Access to the reservoir will be limited while water levels remain lowered. Property owners may choose not to install floating docks or launch boats due to lower water levels and shoreline conditions.
• Continued shoreline exposure: Lower water levels may expose organic material along the shoreline. We’ll monitor conditions and address issues where feasible.

We will continue providing regular updates as construction progresses and schedules evolve.
If major changes arise, we will share them promptly with the community through community letters, our project webpage (nspower.ca/ruthfalls), and email updates. To be added to our update list, please email engage@nspower.ca.

Residents are encouraged to reach out anytime at engage@nspower.ca. We’re here to help and appreciate your patience as we work through the remaining stages of this important project.