Protecting Lake Huron a core priority for Bruce Power
Press Release
April 28, 2026
Like many industries that use lake water for cooling, Bruce Power returns water to Lake Huron at a slightly higher temperature, creating a small, localized warm‑water zone which can attract certain fish species.
Protecting Lake Huron is a core priority for Bruce Power, and operations are governed by strict federal and provincial environmental regulations, including defined limits on thermal discharges, conducting a periodic environmental risk assessment, and comprehensive fish-protection and aquatic-monitoring requirements.
Bruce Power’s cooling water systems are designed to minimize fish interactions, with intake structures located deep offshore and infrastructure that maintains low approach velocity to ensure fish can typically swim away.
Following the unprecedented fish event in 2025 – which resulted from a rare convergence of environmental conditions, including prolonged cold weather and an unusually large presence of gizzard shad – Bruce Power promptly implemented additional protective measures. This includes the installation of physical barriers (nets), acoustic and strobe light deterrents; enhanced monitoring including technologies using sonar and camera-based systems; and expanded lake monitoring and research to better understand fish movement and ecosystem responses. These efforts are being developed collaboratively with academic institutions, regulators, and Indigenous partners. Engagement with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation has been an important part of our response and shaping this work and will continue to inform protection and prevention efforts.
Bruce Power is working with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash Fisheries Assessment Program on six aquatic research projects to gain a better understanding of the long-term changes of Lake Huron ecosystem, enhance our understanding of the impact of nuclear power generation on Lake Huron’s ecosystem and advance Dikameg (Lake Whitefish) rehabilitation efforts.
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