Revelstoke Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Revelstoke Dam |
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 Location within British Columbia
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| Location | Revelstoke, Canada |
| Coordinates | 51°02′58″N 118°11′38″W / 51.04944°N 118.19389°W |
| Opening date | 1984 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Columbia River |
| Height | 175 m (574 ft) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Revelstoke |
| Total capacity | 1.5183 km3 (1,230,900 acre⋅ft) |
| Surface area | 11,534 ha (28,501 acres) or 115 km2 (44 sq mi) |
| Power station | |
| Operator(s) | BC Hydro |
| Commission date | 1984 |
| Turbines | 5 |
| Installed capacity | 2,480 MW |
| Capacity factor | 36% |
| Annual generation | 7,817 GWh |
The Revelstoke Dam, also known as Revelstoke Canyon Dam, is a large dam that creates hydroelectricity. This means it uses the power of water to make electricity. It stretches across the Columbia River in British Columbia, Canada. The dam is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of the city of Revelstoke.
The main part of the dam that makes electricity was finished in 1984. It has a total power capacity of 2,480 MW. The water held back by the dam forms a large lake called Lake Revelstoke. The dam is managed by a company called BC Hydro.
Building the Dam
Construction of the Revelstoke Dam began in 1978. It took several years to build, and the dam was completed in 1983. The powerhouse, where electricity is made, started working in 1984.
When the dam was built, the new lake it created covered some areas. These included a part of the canyon known as the "Death Rapids." It also covered some small towns and parts of an old highway. This highway was once the main route through the area before a new section was built.
Visiting the Dam
The Revelstoke Dam has a special Visitor Centre. It is located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of Revelstoke. The centre is open during certain times of the year.
At the Visitor Centre, you can find many fun things to do. There are interactive exhibits that show how the dam works and how hydroelectricity is made. Since 2009, there has also been a special gallery. This gallery teaches visitors about the art, history, and culture of the First Nations peoples. These groups include the Secwepemc (Shuswap), Okanagan, and Ktunaxa peoples. The centre also has a theatre, a gift shop, and a walkway. You can walk across the top of the Powerhouse building.
Making More Power
BC Hydro, the company that runs the dam, added a fifth unit to the dam. This new unit started making electricity in 2011. It added 500 MW more power. This brought the dam's total power capacity to about 2,480 MW.
In 2009, before the new unit was added, the dam made 6,361 GWh of electricity. By 2018, after the expansion, the dam was making even more power. It generated 7,817 GWh of electricity that year. The dam was actually built so that a sixth unit could be added later. This sixth unit would also be able to make about 500 MW of power. However, there are no plans to build this sixth unit right now.
Images for kids
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Pacific Northwest River System
