Rapide-Blanc Generating Station
| Rapide-Blanc Generating Station | |
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Centrale hydroélectrique de Rapide-Blanc
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 Location of Rapide-Blanc Generating Station in Canada Quebec
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| Country | Canada |
| Location | La Tuque, Quebec |
| Coordinates | 47°47′48″N 72°58′24″W / 47.79661°N 72.97342°WCoordinates: 47°47′48″N 72°58′24″W / 47.79661°N 72.97342°W |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1930 |
| Opening date | 1934 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Height (foundation) | 45 m (148 ft) |
| Height (thalweg) | 32.92 m (108.0 ft) |
| Length | 268 m (879 ft) |
| Width (crest) | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 466,000,000 m3 (378,000 acre·ft) |
| Surface area | 8,200 ha (20,000 acres) |
| Normal elevation | 279.8 m (918 ft) |
| Power station | |
| Operator(s) | Hydro-Québec |
| Turbines | 6 x 34 MW Francis-type |
| Installed capacity | 204 MW |
The Rapide-Blanc Generating Station is a hydroelectric plant, including a reservoir, a dam and hydroelectric plant, located on the Saint-Maurice River about sixty kilometres (37 mi) north of the city of La Tuque, in Quebec, in Canada. Built between 1930 and 1934 by Shawinigan Water & Power Company, it is the third built on this river from upstream plant. The plant is operated by Hydro-Québec since it was acquired from SWP in 1963, as part of the nationalisation of electric power companies in Quebec. The plant has a rated power of 204 megawatts (274,000 hp).
“Rapide-Blanc” (English: White Rapid) was deemed to be the most dangerous rapids of Saint-Maurice River. The Atikamekw preferred to use a series of 11 portages from Coucoucache to the mouth of the Vermillon River (La Tuque), upstream of La Trenche Generating Station, through the Coucoucache Creek.
This hydroelectric dam was built on the site of the former "Rapide Blanc" whose designation exists at least since the mid-nineteenth century. After the construction of the dam, one of the oldest remaining rapids (below the dam), designated in French "Rapides de la Tête du Rapide Blanc" (Rapids of the Head of White Rapids). The name "Rapide-Blanc" (White Rapid) was also attributed to the rail stop located 12 km south of hameau.
In 1928, the Shawinigan Water & Power Company acquired water rights on six of the seven sites that could be developed for power generation on the upper Saint-Maurice River, upstream of Grand-Mère. The company signed a long-term lease for using and developing the site during 75 years, to ensure the exclusivity of hydroelectric development on the whole basin. Under agreements with the Government of Quebec, the site of Rapide-Blanc, located 60 kilometres (37 mi) north of La Tuque is the first site to be developed. However, the Great Depression of 1930 forced the company to revise its growth forecast of electricity demand downwards.
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