Pinawa Dam Provincial Park

Pinawa Dam Provincial Park is a 193 hectare park along the Pinawa Channel featuring the remains of Manitoba's first year-round hydroelectric station. The site preserves natural rock outcrops and structures from the era of power generation.

The hydroelectric station was built in 1906 to supply electricity to Winnipeg but closed in 1951 when power generation shifted to the Seven Sisters station. This closure marked the end of an important chapter in the province's early electrification.

The name comes from an Anishinaabe word reflecting the area's Indigenous heritage. Today visitors can walk through the ruins and see how industrial development shaped this riverside landscape.

The park is located about 95 kilometers northeast of Winnipeg and offers boat launches, picnic areas, and self-guided tours through the grounds. Visitors can also fish near the Winnipeg River system and explore the natural surroundings.

The site is home to several uncommon fish species including endangered sturgeon and pike that now occupy the flooded basins of the former power station. These fish populations have adapted to use the artificial structures as habitat.

Location: Lac du Bonnet

Inception: 1985

Website: https://gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/park-maps-and-locations/eastern/pinawa.html

GPS coordinates: 50.21583,-95.92861

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:47