Bracebridge – Home of the beautiful waterfalls and generating stations

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 Visits Bancroft

Our #WheresWilly crew visited the circa 1930's Bancroft Generating Station in the heart of Bancroft on the York River.  This quaint little 600 kW #waterpower plant is at the location of a former Wool Mill that was constructed in 1884.  It is unclear how much of the dam and canal infrastructure was built as part of the original mill, but it is assumed that the majority of whatever was built in 1884 has been at least upgraded when the generating station was constructed around 1930 by Bancroft Electric Light and Power.  The plant was redeveloped in 1948 to add a second unit.  The Wool Mill has since been replaced by the current Old Mill Apartments immediately adjacent to the power...

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