TC Energy plans one-time natural gas blowdown near Smooth Rock Falls on Oct. 7
TC Energy plans to carry out a one-time natural gas “blowdown” at 8 a.m. on Oct. 7, 2026, a release the company estimates will last about 20 minutes. The Town of Smooth Rock Falls posted the company’s notification on its website.
Residents near the work site may hear a sustained loud noise during the blowdown, according to the notice. TC Energy said the sound can be loud and may last longer than the estimated 20 minutes depending on the amount of pipe being depressurized.
The notice listed the land location as “Lat: 4925491 / Long: -81.63252.”
In the notice, TC Energy described a blowdown as releasing natural gas from the pipeline system so facilities can be depressurized for work.
TC Energy said its employees will close required valves to isolate the facilities and then open a blowdown valve to depressurize in a controlled manner.
A “loud roaring sound” may occur when natural gas is released, the company said, and it may use tools to minimize the noise when possible.
The sound during a blowdown can be as loud as an airplane engine and may last from a few minutes to multiple hours, depending on the amount of pipe being depressurized, the notice said. As the flow of gas slows down, the notice said, the noise also lessens.
The notice described the blowdown as occurring once at the noted time.