Brilliant Dam

Brilliant Dam is a hydroelectric installation on the Kootenay River near Castlegar that spans 190 meters with a height of roughly 43 meters. The facility uses multiple turbines to generate power, with various gates and passages controlling how water flows through the structure.

The site was built during World War II by conscription-exempt workers and began operations in 1944 with initial turbines. A later expansion in the early 2000s brought additional power-generation capacity to the facility.

The dam shapes the region's identity as a major power producer and is woven into daily life, as it supplies electricity to surrounding communities. Locals view it as central to the area's economic stability and reliance on renewable energy.

The dam sits in an easily accessible area and offers vantage points from which you can observe the structure and hydro operations. Daytime visits work best, as lighting is ideal for viewing and taking photographs.

The facility was constructed with involvement from Doukhobor communities who were exempted from military service during the war. This unusual history ties the structure to local traditions and cooperative labor practices.

Location: British Columbia

Inception: 1942

Length: 190 m

GPS coordinates: 49.32470,-117.62000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:47