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, sometimes called Revelstoke Canyon Dam, is a huge structure that helps make hydroelectricity (power from water). It's built across the Columbia River, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada.
This dam is a mix of two types: an earthfill dam and a gravity dam. It started making power in 1984. The dam has five large machines called generating units. These units can produce a total of 2,480 MW of electricity. The big lake behind the dam is called Lake Revelstoke. A company named BC Hydro runs the dam.
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Building the Revelstoke Dam
Building the Revelstoke Dam was a big project. Construction began in 1978. Workers finished building the dam in 1983. The dam officially opened and started making power in 1984.
When the dam was built, the water behind it formed Lake Revelstoke. This new lake covered some areas that were there before. One area was called the Dalles des Morts, which means "Death Rapids." It was a fast-moving part of the river. The lake also covered parts of an old road called the Big Bend Highway. This road used to be part of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Visiting the Dam
You can visit the Revelstoke Dam! There is a special place called the Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre. It is located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of Revelstoke, British Columbia. The visitor center is open during certain times of the year.
Inside the center, you can find fun and interactive displays. These exhibits teach you about the dam and how hydroelectricity works. There is also a special gallery that opened in 2009. This gallery shares information about the art, history, and culture of the First Nations peoples. You can learn about the Secwepemc (Shuswap), Okanagan, and Ktunaxa peoples. The center also has a theater, a gift shop, and an outdoor walkway. From the walkway, you can see the top of the Powerhouse.
Making More Power
The Revelstoke Dam has grown over time to make even more electricity. BC Hydro completed a big expansion project. They added a fifth generating unit to the dam. This new unit started working in 2011. It added 500 MW more power to the dam's total. This brought the dam's total power capacity to about 2,480 MW.
In 2009, before the new unit, the dam made 6,361 GWh of electricity. By 2018, after the expansion, it produced 7,817 GWh. That's a lot of power! The dam was designed so that a sixth unit could be added later. This extra unit would also be about 500 MW. There are no plans to build it right now, but it is possible in the future.
Images for kids
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Map of the Pacific Northwest River System.
Related Topics
- List of largest power stations in Canada
- List of generating stations in British Columbia
- List of dams in the Columbia River watershed
- Hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River
- Mica Dam
- Keenleyside Dam
