Brazeau Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brazeau Reservoir |
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Brazeau Dam Power Plant
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 Brazeau Reservoir
Location in Alberta
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| Location | Brazeau County, Central Alberta |
| Coordinates | 52°56′53″N 115°38′21″W / 52.94806°N 115.63917°W |
| Type | man-made reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Brazeau River |
| Primary outflows | Brazeau River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) |
| Max. width | 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) |
The Brazeau Reservoir is a large lake in Alberta, Canada, that was made by people. It is located in Brazeau County in central Alberta, about 55 kilometers (34 miles) southwest of Drayton Valley.
This reservoir was created along the Brazeau River, where it meets the Elk River. It is an important part of the North Saskatchewan River system.
Making Electricity at Brazeau Dam
The Brazeau Dam and the power plant that makes electricity are managed by a company called TransAlta. This plant can produce a lot of electricity, up to 355 megawatts (MW). A megawatt is a million watts! The Brazeau Plant is the biggest hydroelectric plant that TransAlta owns.
The Brazeau area is great for making electricity because of its water supply. The plant can produce an average of 397,000 megawatt hours (MW⋅h) of electricity each year.
Sometimes, the water levels in the Brazeau River can be low. To help with this, the plant has a special "pump-back system." This system can lift water from the river below the dam back up into the 20-kilometer (12-mile) long reservoir. This way, the power plant can keep making electricity even when the water levels are not very high.
Fun at Brazeau Reservoir
The Brazeau Reservoir is not just for making electricity; it's also a great place for outdoor fun! The Brazeau Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area is located near the lake, just upstream from the dam.
There are also three other campgrounds along the shores of the reservoir. These places offer opportunities for camping, fishing, and enjoying nature.
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The Spillway of the Brazeau Dam
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The Brazeau Dam
