Ontario Power Generation

OTTER RAPIDS GENERATING STATION

PLANT GROUP: Northeast Plant Group
DRAINAGE BASIN: Hudson/James Bay
RIVER: Abitibi
NEAREST POPULATION CENTRE: Kapuskasing (96 KM (60 Miles) Southwest)
IN SERVICE DATE:
UNIT 1 - September 26, 1961
UNIT 2 - October 24, 1961
UNIT 3 - July 30, 1963
UNIT 4 - October 1, 1963
BUILT BY: Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario
Asset Transferred to Ontario Power Generation: April 1, 1999
NUMBER OF UNITS: 4
CONTROL: Remote from Porcupine TS

HISTORICAL NOTE:
In 1945 the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario carried out a preliminary survey of the undeveloped head concentrations on the Abitibi, Groundhog and Mattagami Rivers. In 1947, using the results of the 1945 survey, Hydro studied three development patterns of the Abitibi River sites. Pattern A called for development of Otter, Coral, and Lower Nine Mile Rapids power sites; pattern B called for Sextant, Coral, Middle Nine Mile, and Lower Nine Mile Rapids power sites; pattern C called for Sextant, Upper Nine Mile and Lower Nine Mile sites.

Comparative estimates of these three patterns, based on the 1945 survey, showed pattern A to be the most economical.

Three years later - 1950 - The Commission decided to include the sites on the Abitibi River in its long-term planning program. Further studies and estimates including one for a generating station of 40,000 kW at Otter Rapids were prepared - all based on the 1945 survey.

In 1951 additional site information was obtained and the studies and estimates were refined.

All work - office and field - on the Abitibi sites was stopped in 1952, and it was not until 1956 that studies, based on the 1952 data, were resumed. These studies showed preference for a single-stage development at Otter Rapids.

In 1957, the Commission authorized further field investigations, and estimates were prepared for a three-unit and a four-unit generating station at Otter Rapids. In February 1958, an Order-in-Council authorized the development of this station and approval under the Navigable Waters Protection Act was received in October 1958. In December 1958, to augment the power resources of the northeastern division and the southern Ontario system, the Commission approved the construction of a three-unit plant with a total capacity of 135 000 kW or 45 000 kW per unit. This approval included the proviso that, if investigations indicated the desirability, a fourth unit would be installed. Provision in the approval was made for installation of supervisory control of Otter Rapids generating station from Abitibi Canyon generating station.

In November 1959, the Commission approved provision for the future installation of units 5 to 8 and the initial installation of a total of four units. By making provision for the future units during the current construction period, many times the capital cost could be saved provided the additional units are needed within 25 years. Moreover, if the minimum provision were not made during the construction period it would be virtually impossible to include the extra units at a later date due to construction difficulties.

MISCELLANEOUS:
The Otter Rapids plant was the first of four hydroelectric generating stations to be completed in the rugged James Bay watershed. At the time, the plant was remotely controlled by means of microwave link to Abitibi Canyon generating station, 37 km (23 miles) upstream and from there it was moved into the combined northeastern and southern Ontario system.

The Colony - Meat and potatoes were just as important as steel and concrete when it came to wrestling electric power from the turbulent waters of northern rivers. When planning remote projects in wilderness areas, the Commission gave much consideration to employees.

Otter Rapids was typical of the enormous problem in human relations posed by an isolated power development. Located on the Abitibi River, about midway between Cochrane and Moosonee, this site was only 160 km (100 miles) from the shores of James Bay. Building a dam and powerhouse here necessitated almost 1,000 persons giving up their automobiles, television sets, theatres and shops for a life in the heart of a fly-infested, rock and muskeg country linked to the outside world only by rail.

Physically, Otter Rapids compared favourably with most well-planned urban subdivisions. Situated on a clean, flat, sandy site away from the noise and traffic of construction, the community was layed out with more respect for the existing tree cover than most suburbanites enjoy.

The "business section" included a bank, post office, snack bar, grocery store, billiard hall, bowling alley, curling rink, hockey rink, fire hall and auditorium. A well-equipped, 10-bed hospital provided medical care for employees and their families, while the camp's bountiful crop of children attended their own four-room school. Instruction was provided up to the Grade 10 level. Excellent electrical, water and sewage facilities were provided, and the garbage truck made its rounds just as faithfully as its big city brother.

No one who has lived in the north will belittle the importance of material comforts, but it took more than good plumbing to raise a construction camp to the status of a civic-minded community. This was achieved at Otter Rapids by the initiative of its inhabitants. Their attitude was reflected in the staff and employee colonies, and a summer evening stroll through its neat but nameless streets was a rewarding experience.

Quiet and the absence of traffic were the first impression. There were only a half dozen private automobiles in the entire camp, and most of these had outdated licence plates, for there was no access to the highways. Nine km (6 miles) of construction road was the limit of their usefulness. Each of the 135 houses and trailers were numbered consecutively.

King sized dahlias and zinnias, the sound of a power mower and the appetizing aroma of charcoal broiled steaks were typical at the colony. Elongated television antennas sprouted from several rooftops but reception was too unreliable. It was felt by some, that this actually upgraded the level of entertainment by restoring interest in good music, reading, conversation and group activities.

It was difficult to reconcile the freshly painted picket fences and carefully nurtured shrubs and gardens with the short life expectancy of the colony.

Black flies were kept in check by the spring-time aerial application of larvicides to nearby rivers and streams. Mosquitos and such flies as survive the aerial assault usually yielded to the twice-daily rounds of the aerosol generation.

Traffic was no hazard to children, school was just around the corner. Children could join the colony's own contingent of Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Cubs or Brownies.

Interest centred around the curling rink during the winter. The ladies also had their bowling leagues, teas, bakery sales and bridge sessions. Facilities such as the bowling alleys, pool room, snack bar and recreation hall were supplied by the Commission and were largely self-supporting. A recreation committee was elected each year, and its functions included a summer field day, winter carnival, children's Christmas party and monthly dances. A banquet licence added to the popularity of these events which sometimes included travelogues, cards, construction films and hunting and fishing movies.

Such off-shoot organizations as the curling club, bowling league, badminton club and trap-shooting group administered their own affairs. Otter Rapids scored a first among Hydro projects with its own two-sheet curling rink, and during the winter months the ice was seldom idle.

Aside from organized recreation, the fullness of "off-the-job" living was limited only by the initiative and ingenuity of the individual. Some took advantage of the northern evenings to further their education through correspondence courses. A representative of Canada's renowned Frontier College was always available to lend a helping hand, and he provided regular instruction in a variety of elementary subjects. His classes in basic English were particularly popular among French Canadians and recent arrivals from Europe. A library was maintained for everyone's use, composed mostly of books supplied by the Ontario Department of Eduction.

Many devoted their spare time to hunting, fishing and photography. Fish and game were not as abundant here as they had been at some of the Northwestern developments, but pickerel, sturgeon and pike were caught in the Abitibi, while trout were available in the smaller streams. Moose, wolves, bear and waterfowl have all been taken by camp nimrods.