Dickson Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dickson Dam |
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Dickson Dam in Red Deer County, Alberta.
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 Location of Dickson Dam in Alberta
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| Country | Canada |
| Location | Red Deer County, Alberta |
| Coordinates | 52°03′06″N 114°13′07″W / 52.05167°N 114.21861°W |
| Power station | |
| Commission date | January 16, 1992 |
| Turbines | 3 x 5 MW Barber turbines |
| Installed capacity | 15 MW |
The Dickson Dam is a large structure built in 1983 on the Red Deer River in Alberta, Canada. It created a big lake called Gleniffer Lake. This dam is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of Innisfail and 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of Red Deer.
The main reasons for building the dam were to control floods and make sure there was enough water in the river, even in winter. It also helps keep the river water clean. The dam provides a steady supply of water for homes, cities, and businesses. Plus, it created a fun place for people to visit and enjoy outdoor activities.
How the Dam Makes Power
The Government of Alberta owns the Dickson Dam. A company called Algonquin Power added a small power station to the dam. This station uses the force of the water to make electricity.
The power station has three special machines called turbines. Each turbine can make 5 megawatts (MW) of power. Together, they can produce 15 MW of electricity. The power station started working on January 16, 1992. The electricity made here is sold to another company called TransAlta Utilities Corporation.
Fun at Gleniffer Lake
The lake created by the Dickson Dam is called Gleniffer Lake. It's a popular spot for recreation. In 2009, several smaller park areas around the dam and lake were combined into one big park. This new park is now known as the Gleniffer Reservoir PRA.
At Gleniffer Lake, you can enjoy many water activities. These include motorboating, waterskiing, swimming, and sailboarding. If you like fishing, you're in luck! There's a special pond with rainbow trout. You can also find other types of fish nearby, like pike, walleye, Rocky Mountain whitefish, and brown trout.
