Ontario Power Generation

HOUND CHUTE GENERATING STATION

PLANT GROUP: Northeast Plant Group
DRAINAGE BASIN: Ottawa River
RIVER: Montreal
NEAREST POPULATION CENTRE: Cobalt (9.6 KM (6 Miles) North)
IN SERVICE DATE:
UNITS 1-3 - 1910
UNIT 4 - 1911
ACQUIRED BY HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER COMMISSION OF ONTARIO: November 30, 1944
FROM: Northern Ontario Power Company
Asset Transferred to Ontario Power Generation: April 1, 1999
NUMBER OF UNITS: 4
CONTROL: Remote from Porcupine TS

HISTORICAL NOTE:
In 1906, the early days of the Cobalt camp but three years since the discovery by the blacksmith LaRose, some far-seeing men recognizing the great value in the vicinity of Cobalt, secured leases from the government to develop on the Montreal River and elsewhere.

Steam power was costing the mines, at the time, over $100 per hp per annum, and as the boiler horsepower capacity of the district had increased to 3000 hp (1909 to 11,000 hp), it was evident that a market for hydroelectric power already existed.

Among the early pioneers were C.A. and B.C. Bead, incorporating the Cobalt Power Company Ltd. in December 1906, under the laws of the Province of Ontario, with an authorized capital of $500,000. The company had permission to construct, maintain, complete and operate works for the production, sale and distribution of electricity for the purposes of light, heat and power. A lease of water power on the Montreal River known as Hound Chute Falls, together with a tract of land comprising of about 28.3 ha (70 acres) were acquired.

Preliminary investigations and plans had been made in 1906 and 1907 but on account of the uncertainty with regard to the infant mining camp, nothing further was done until the Fall of 1908, when the final plans were made and construction started. (For further information on Cobalt's history see Lower Notch).