Hydro Facilities

The NWT Power Corporation runs two hydro-powered generating systems, one north of Yellowknife, which supplies Rae-Edzo, Dettah and Yellowknife with up to 31 megawatts of power, and one near Fort Smith, which supplies Fort Smith, Fort Resolution, Hay River and Enterprise with up to 21 megawatts.

Snare Rapids/Ted Humphrys
The first hydro site on the Snare River, 140 kilometres NW of Yellowknife, was commissioned in 1948. Fed by the Big Spruce Lake reservoir (32000 acres), the plant generates 8 megawatts with a Francis turbine. A smaller Kaplan turbine generates .5 megawatts during periods of high water.

Snare Falls/Johnny Simpson
Snare Falls, 15 kilometres SW of Snare Rapids was commissioned in 1961. A 2265 acre reservoir supplies a Kaplan turbine, generating 8 megawatts.

Snare Cascades/Dogrib Power Plant
Snare Cascades is 2 kilometres downstream of Snare Falls. Commissioned in 1996, this power plant is owned by the Dogrib Power Corporation. The "run of river" plant depends on river flow rather than a reservoir to feed the turbine. A Kaplan turbine generates 4.3 megawatts.

Snare Forks
Snare Forks, 10 kilometres SW of Snare Cascades was commissioned in 1975. The powerhouse contains two Francis turbines generating 5 megawatts each. During peak winter demand, both units run. In periods of less demand, one is shut down, to allow the 2397 acre reservoir to recharge.

Taltson Hydro
Taltson Hydro is located about 65 kilomtres north of Fort Smith, on the Taltson River. The plant features one turbine generator rated at 18 megawatts, and three one megawatt generators. Taltson supplies Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and Hay River/Enterprise.