Peace Canyon Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peace Canyon Dam |
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 Location within British Columbia
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| Location | Hudson's Hope, British Columbia, Canada |
| Coordinates | 55°58′55″N 121°59′40″W / 55.98194°N 121.99444°W |
| Owner(s) | BC Hydro |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Peace River |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Dinosaur Lake |
| Power station | |
| Installed capacity | 694 MW |
| Capacity factor | 57.6% |
| Annual generation | 3,500 GWh |
The Peace Canyon Dam is a huge hydroelectric dam in northern British Columbia, Canada. It sits on the Peace River. This amazing structure helps create electricity for many homes.
The dam is located about 6 kilometers (4 miles) southwest of Hudson's Hope. It is also 23 kilometers (14 miles) downstream from another big dam, the W.A.C. Bennett Dam.
Building the Peace Canyon Dam
The Peace Canyon Dam is made of concrete. It stands about 50 meters (164 feet) tall. Building this dam was a big project. It was finished in 1980.
When the dam was built, it created a large reservoir. A reservoir is like a huge artificial lake. This one is called Dinosaur Lake. It stretches for about 21 kilometers (13 miles).
How the Dam Makes Power
The Peace Canyon Dam has four special machines called generating units. These units work together to make electricity. They can produce a lot of power!
At its strongest, the dam can make 700 MW of power. A megawatt (MW) is a unit for measuring how much electricity can be made at one time. Each year, the dam typically produces over 3,500 GWh of electricity. A gigawatt-hour (GWh) is a way to measure how much electricity is produced over time. This is enough power for many thousands of homes.
Visiting the Dam
You cannot take a guided tour inside the Peace Canyon Dam. Entry to the building is not allowed for visitors. However, there is a really nice viewpoint nearby.
At this viewpoint, you can see the dam and the beautiful area around it. There are picnic tables where you can eat. You will also find information panels. These panels share interesting facts about the dam and how it works. It's a great spot to learn and enjoy the view!
See also
- List of electrical generating stations in Canada
- List of generating stations in BC
