This map shows the location of the incident. (Submitted photo/Water Security Agency)
on the water

Tugboat and barge sink in Lac La Ronge

Jul 7, 2021 | 1:17 PM

Cleanup is underway after a tugboat and barge sank in Lac La Ronge.

That’s according to an email from the Water Security Agency, which states the location of the sinking is about 45 kilometers from La Ronge. Onboard was equipment and material needed for the regular scheduled maintenance of the Lac La Ronge dam.

The tug and barge are owned by an independent operator who was hired by the contractor doing the maintenance work on the dam.

“Thankfully there were no injuries reported in this incident and cleanup began as quickly as possible,” the email states. “Booms were deployed to help contain any fuel that may have spilled. Poor weather slowed the recovery last week, however, so far the tug and barge have both been refloated and are on their way back to La Ronge.”

The email notes the Water Security Agency is working with partner agencies, including the Ministry of Environment, the Coast Guard, the Department of Fisheries & Oceans and the province’s Hazardous Materials coordinator on the ongoing recovery and cleanup.

A $2.5 million upgrade is currently underway at the dam. It involves structural upgrades, including strengthening the control structure and adding a modern steel structure over the spillway to install and remove stoplogs.

Seepage remediation will also be completed on the dam with a grouting program. That work is expected to be completed by early September.

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno

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