Stave Falls Dam

 Stave Falls Dam is a dual-dam power complex on the Stave River in Stave Falls, British Columbia, Canada. The dam was completed in 1912 for the primary purpose of hydroelectric power production. To increase the capacity of Stave Lake, the dam was raised in 1925 and the Blind Slough Dam constructed in an adjacent watercourse 500 m (1,600 ft) to the north, which was the site of the eponymous Stave Falls. In 2000, the dam's powerhouse was replaced after a four-year upgrade. The original Stave Falls powerhouse was once British Columbia's largest hydroelectric power source, and is a National Historic Site of Canada.^[1][2]

Background[edit]

The Stave Falls Dam was first visualized in the 1890s as hydroelectric development was becoming widespread. Exploiting the 24 m (79 ft) drop of Stave Falls could produce hydroelectricity which could be sold to various customers. In 1895, Stave Lake Electric and Power Co. Ltd was given permission to study the falls for electricity production. In 1909, the Western Canada Power Company bought Stave Lake Electric and Power and began construction of the dam.^[3] The first generator went online in December 1911 and the second in January 1912. Generators three and fourth went online in 1916 and 1922, respectively.^[4] In 1921, British Columbia Electric Railway bought Western Canada Power and continued to develop the power plant. A fifth generator was installed after it was realized that additional water from a dam raise and a reservoir created by the Alouette Dam (in the Alouette River drainage just west) could increase power production.^[3] The Stave Falls Dam was raised in 1925 and the fifth generator was operational on 19 September 1925. In 1926, the Blind Slough Dam was completed to supplement the reservoir's new size and serve as a spillway. Alouette Dam was completed in 1928.^[4]

Beginning in 1995, the original power station underwent decommissioning and was replaced with a new powerhouse containing two Kaplan turbines. The project included the construction of a new power plant intake, power house, tailrace channel and penstocks. It was completed in January 2000 and increased the installed capacity of the power plant from 52.5 MW to 90 MW.

The old powerhouse currently serves as a tourist attraction known as the Stave Falls Visitor Centre.^[4] It features exhibits about the construction of the dam, hydroelectric generation, renewable and non-renewable resources, hydroelectric generation, human and natural heritage, and conservation.^[5]