Springbank Dam

In January 2018, London City Council voted to decommission the Springbank Dam. The dam has remained inoperable since the failure of one of the gate hinges during commissioning in 2008, following the Springbank Dam Rehabilitation Project. The dam is owned by the City of London and was operated by the UTRCA for recreation, and to minimize the impact of the dam and reservoir on flood management and fisheries.

Located on the main branch of the Thames River in southwest London, Springbank Dam was constructed at this site in 1929 to replace a dam located a short distance upstream (east). The original dam had been built to provide water power for pumping to a water reservoir at the top of the hill to the south. The dam was washed out in 1883, 1899, and 1917. Between 1917 and 1929, there was no dam at this site.

Traditionally, Springbank Dam held back water for six months each year from approximately May 24th until early November. The reservoir was a popular setting for a variety of passive and active recreational uses, including canoeing, fishing, cycling, and walking.

On July 9, 2000, the dam was overtopped during a flood due to debris accumulation, damaging the south bank and raising concerns about the safety of the structure. The Springbank Dam Rehabilitation Project was initiated to ensure the safe operation of Springbank Dam. Studies in 2000 and 2002 recommended that the dam be rehabilitated to meet provincial dam safety requirements. Deficiencies were identified including:

  • Erosion protection damaged in the July 9, 2000 Thames River flood,
  • Failing stop logs prone to blockage by debris and operational challenges, and
  • Concrete deterioration.

An Environmental Assessment was undertaken to look at the alternatives (Environmental Assessment Report Springbank Dam (2003) and Appendices). The rehabilitation completed focused on replacing the failing stop logs with gates, leaving other work to be done in the future.

Related Reports

The UTRCA undertook the following studies as part of our responsibilities for operation and maintenance of Springbank Dam: