Peace Canyon Dam
Encyclopedia
The Peace Canyon Dam is a large hydroelectric
dam
on the Peace River
in northern British Columbia
, Canada
. It is located 6 km (4 mi) southwest of Hudson's Hope, 23 km (14 mi) downstream from the W.A.C. Bennett Dam.
The 50 m (164 ft) high concrete dam, completed in 1980, impounds a 21 km (13 mi) long reservoir
, called Dinosaur Lake. Together, the four generating units of the complex have a peak capacity of , and typically produce over of electricity per year.
, and the area's natural and cultural history. The centre is open seasonally and admission is free.
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
on the Peace River
Peace River (Canada)
The Peace River is a river in Canada that originates in the Rocky Mountains of northern British Columbia and flows to the northeast through northern Alberta. The Peace River flows into the Slave River, a tributary of the Mackenzie River. The Mackenzie is the 12th longest river in the world,...
in northern British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is located 6 km (4 mi) southwest of Hudson's Hope, 23 km (14 mi) downstream from the W.A.C. Bennett Dam.
The 50 m (164 ft) high concrete dam, completed in 1980, impounds a 21 km (13 mi) long reservoir
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
, called Dinosaur Lake. Together, the four generating units of the complex have a peak capacity of , and typically produce over of electricity per year.
Visitor Centre
The Peace Canyon Dam Visitor's Centre features exhibits about the dam, hydroelectricityHydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
, and the area's natural and cultural history. The centre is open seasonally and admission is free.