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Tag: hydro

Bracebridge – Home of the beautiful waterfalls and generating stations

August 23, 2018
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| #WheresWilly, Dam Talk

Our team returned to Bracebridge today (see earlier posts regarding the High Falls Generating Station and the former Bird's Mill plant) to visit the beautiful Wilson and Bracebridge Falls and their respective #waterpower facilities on the North Branch of the Muskoka River.  Both of these facilities are located to scenic waterfalls within the Town of Bracebridge, have a long history of generating electricity, and were redeveloped recently. The Wilson Falls Generating Station was originally built before WW1.  The powerhouse, penstock and intake were replaced in 2012 to allow for its expansion to the current capacity of almost 3 MW. The Bracebridge Falls Generating Station is located in the heart of downtown Bracebridge.  It was originally constructed in 1902.  It was...

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#WheresWilly team moves inside for a rainy day discussion about Dams

August 20, 2018
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| #WheresWilly, Dam Talk

On Friday, our #WheresWilly team took a break from the sites and sat down with some dam owners and operators to discuss the importance of rehabilitation of aging dams, preventative maintenance, and monitoring. Too often waterpower generators get tunnel vision, focusing on the mechanical and electrical systems when it comes to budgeting for upgrades. This is understandable given their direct correlation to the financial bottom line. However, neglecting the structural elements of a facility can add up to huge repair bills and possible downtime if deterioration is left unchecked for too long. During our road trip this summer, we have seen many dams that are in desperate need of some attention. MKE and its WheresWilly team cannot stress enough the...

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Where’s Willy Now? > Elliot Falls Generating Station

July 20, 2018
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| #WheresWilly

Willy and the MKE team visited the Elliot Falls waterpower facility on the Gull River in Kawartha Lakes as part of our 2018 #WheresWilly road trip. This plant was originally built in the early 1900's to power a nearby cement factor, decommissioned in 1928 then redeveloped in 1990 to provide 700 kW of homegrown, green energy to Ontario's power grid. MKE have been retained to complete a structural inspection of the facility and design a comprehensive maintenance and rehabilitation plan. We will also be assisting the new owners, Bracebridge Generation, with the preparation of the required dam documentation for its dam safety program.

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