Waneta Dam, Hydroelectric power station near Trail, British Columbia, Canada
Waneta Dam is a hydroelectric power station built across the Pend d'Oreille River in British Columbia. The structure stands 64 meters tall and stretches 290 meters across the river to generate electricity for the region.
Construction of the original facility began in 1951 and power generation started in 1952. An expansion completed in 2015 more than doubled the generation capacity with new turbines installed in a separate powerhouse downstream.
The dam represents British Columbia's dedication to renewable energy production, supporting local industries while maintaining environmental considerations for future generations.
The facility is operated by BC Hydro and supplies power to homes and industries in the area. You can view the structure from nearby vantage points, though access to the dam itself is restricted for safety reasons.
The facility produces enough power to serve a significant portion of British Columbia's electrical grid. This energy sustains not only local communities but also powers an industrial smelting operation that has operated in the region for over a century.
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