List of dams and reservoirs in Canada facts for kids

Canada is a huge country with lots of water, and people use this water in many ways! To manage all this water, especially for things like making electricity, controlling floods, and providing drinking water, engineers build dams and reservoirs.

A dam is a big wall built across a river. It holds back water, creating a large, artificial lake called a reservoir. These reservoirs store water, which can then be released in a controlled way. This helps us generate clean electricity (called hydroelectricity), make sure there's enough water for farms and cities, and protect communities from too much water during floods.

This article lists some of the important dams and reservoirs across Canada, showing how each province and territory uses these amazing structures to manage its water resources.

Alberta

Alberta is known for its wide-open spaces and important rivers. Dams and reservoirs here help manage water for farming, cities, and power. Many of these structures are on rivers flowing from the Rocky Mountains, capturing snowmelt and rain.

British Columbia

British Columbia has many mountains and fast-flowing rivers, making it perfect for generating hydroelectricity. Many of the dams here are part of large power projects that supply electricity to homes and businesses across the province.

Manitoba

Manitoba uses its many rivers, especially the Nelson River, to create a lot of hydroelectric power. These dams are key to the province's energy supply.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick also relies on its rivers for hydroelectric power. Dams like Mactaquac are important for the province's energy needs and managing river levels.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to some of the largest hydroelectric projects in North America. The Churchill Falls generating station, with its massive Smallwood Reservoir, is a prime example of how this province harnesses water power.

Ontario

Ontario, Canada's most populated province, uses dams for many purposes. These include generating electricity, controlling floods, and providing water for cities. Many dams are found on rivers like the Niagara, Mattagami, and Ottawa.

Large Hydroelectric Dams

These dams produce a lot of electricity, powering many homes and businesses.

Other Important Dams

Beyond large power plants, some dams help control floods or manage water for other uses.

• Auburn (Otanabee River)
• Big Chute (Severn River)
• Big Eddy (Muskoka River)
• Bingham Chute (South River)
• Coniston (Wanapitei River)
• Crystal Falls (Sturgeon River)
• Fanshawe Dam (Thames River)
• Pittock Dam (Thames River)
• Wildwood Dam (Thames River)
• Crooks' Hollow Dam (Spencer Creek, Greensville)
• Claireville Flood Control dam and reservoir, Claireville Conservation Area (Humber River (Toronto))
• G Ross Lord Park Flood Control dam and reservoir, G Lord Ross Park (Don River (Toronto))
• Milne Dam and Reservoir, Milne Park Conservation Area - Markham (Rouge River (Toronto))
• McLeod Dam Green Energy Project (Moira River (Belleville))
• Orangeville Reservoir, Orangeville, Ontario - a large lake at the start of the Credit River and Nottawasaga River

Quebec

Quebec is a leader in hydroelectric power, with many massive dams and reservoirs, especially in the James Bay region. These projects are some of the largest in the world and provide a huge amount of clean energy.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan's landscape is flatter, but dams and reservoirs are still very important here. They help manage water for irrigation (watering crops), provide drinking water, and control floods, especially in a province known for its agriculture.

Yukon

The Yukon Territory, in Canada's north, also has important dams and reservoirs. These help provide power to communities in a challenging environment.

• Schwatka Lake
• Aishihik Lake

See also

• List of generating stations in Canada