This is a timeline of Manitoba Hydro’s construction of hydroelectric dams in Manitoba, Canada. Much of this information comes from Manitoba Hydro’s website. All sources are cited at the bottom of this webpage.
Last update: January 23, 2024.
Chronological Timeline
1900-1950
Pointe du Bois
Located on the Winnipeg River, approximately 28km northeast of Lac du Bonnet.
- Construction began in 1909 and was completed in 1926.
For more about the Pointe du Bois generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Great Falls
Located on the Winnipeg River, approximately 25km north of Lac du Bonnet.
- Construction began in 1914, paused during WWI, and resumed in 1919. It was completed in 1928.
For more about the Great Falls generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Slave Falls
Located on the Winnipeg River, approximately 35km east of Lac du Bonnet.
- Construction began in 1928 and was completed in 1948.
For more about the Slave Falls generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Seven Sisters
Located on the Winnipeg river, approximately 70km east of Winnipeg.
- Construction on the first stage began in 1929 and was completed in 1931.
- Construction on the second stage began in 1948 and was completed in 1952.
For more about the Seven Sisters generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Pine Falls
Located on the Winnipeg River, near the town of Powerview-Pine Falls.
- Construction began in 1949 and was completed in 1952.
For more about the Pine Falls generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
1950-1980
McArthur Falls
Located on the Winnipeg River, approximately 120km northeast of Winnipeg.
- Construction began in 1952 and was completed in 1955.
For more about the McArthur Falls generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Laurie River I & II
Located about 60km south of Lynn Lake.
- Construction was completed in 1952 on Laurie I.
- Construction was completed in 1958 on Laurie II.
Neither damn was built by Manitoba Hydro, but they were both purchased by Manitoba Hydro in 1970.
For more about the Laurie River I generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
For more about the Laurie River II generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Kelsey
Located on the Nelson River, approximately 90km northeast of Thompson.
- Construction began in 1957 and was completed in 1961.
For more about the Kettle generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Grand Rapids
Located on the Saskatchewan River, approximately 145km southeast of The Pas.
- Construction began in 1960 and was completed in November 1968.
For more about the Grand Rapids generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Kettle
Located on the lower Nelson River approximately 150km west of York Factory.
- Construction began in 1970 and was completed in 1974.
For more about the Kettle generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Long Spruce
Located on the Nelson River, approximately 100km west of York Factory.
- Construction began in 1971 and was completed in 1979.
For more about the Long Spruce generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Jenpeg
Located approximately 135km south of Thompson, where the west channel of the Nelson River flows into Cross Lake.
- Construction began in 1972 and was completed in 1979.
For more about the Jenpeg generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
1980-Present (2020s)
Limestone
Located on the Nelson River, approximately 230km south of Churchill.
- Construction began in 1985 and was completed in 1992.
For more about the Limestone generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Wuskwatim
Located on the Burntwood River, approximately 45km southwest of Thompson and 35km southeast of Nelson House.
- Construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2012.
For more about the Wuskwatim generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Keeyask
Located between Thompson and Gillam on the lower Nelson River.
- Construction began in 2014 and was completed in 2022.
For more about the Keeyask generating station, including licenses and supporting documentation, click here.
Generation Stations by Location
Burntwood River
- Wuskwatim
Nelson River
- Jenpeg
- Keeyask
- Kelsey
- Kettle
- Limestone
- Long Spruce
Saskatchewan River
- Grand Rapids
Winnipeg River
- Great Falls
- McArthur Falls
- Pine Falls
- Pointe du Bois
- Seven Sisters
- Slave Falls
References
“Churchill River Diversion.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/churchill/index.html
“Generating Stations.” Manitoba Hydro, n.d. https://www.hydro.mb.ca/corporate/facilities/generating_stations
“Grand Rapids Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/grand-rapids-generating-station/index.html
“Great Falls Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/great-falls-generating-station/index.html
“Jenpeg Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/jenpeg-generating-station/index.html
“Keeyask Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/keeyask-generating-station/index.html
“Kelsey Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/kelsey-generating-station/index.html
“Kettle Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/kettle-generating-station/index.html
“Lake Winnipeg Regulation.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/lake_winnipeg_regulation/index.html
“Laurie River I Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/laurie-river-i-generating-station/index.html
“Laurie River II Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/laurie-river-ii-generating-station/index.html
“Limestone Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/limestone-generating-station/index.html
“Long Spruce Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/long-spruce-generating-station/index.html
“McArthur Falls Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/mcarthur-falls-generating-station/index.html
“Pine Falls Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/pine-falls-generating-station/index.html
“Pointe du Bois Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/pointe-du-bois-generating-station/index.html
“Seven Sisters Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/seven-sisters-generating-station/index.html
“Slave Falls Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/slave-falls-generating-station/index.html
“Wuskwatim Generating Station.” Government of Manitoba, Environment and Climate, n.d. https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/water-power/wuskwatim-generating-station/index.html