Smooth Rock Falls residents warned of possible loud pipeline blowdown noise on Aug. 25, 2026
TC Energy is scheduled to carry out routine pipeline maintenance in the Smooth Rock Falls area on Aug. 25, 2026, starting at 8 a.m., and the Town of Smooth Rock Falls says residents may hear a loud “blowdown” noise during the work.
The town said the sound may be noticeable for people nearby and compared it to an airplane engine. The blowdown is expected to last about 20 minutes and may happen twice.
According to TC Energy’s notice, a blowdown is used to release natural gas from a pipeline so maintenance can be performed safely on depressurized facilities.
TC Energy said workers close valves to isolate the facilities, then open a blowdown valve to depressurize the line in a controlled manner.
The company said the noise from a blowdown can last from a few minutes to multiple hours, depending on how much pipe is being depressurized, and the sound tends to lessen as the flow of gas slows.
In a letter posted by the town, TC Energy did not provide a street address for the work site and instead listed a land location using coordinates: Lat: 4925491 / Long: -81.63252.