Ontario Power Generation
CAMERON FALLS STATION
PLANT GROUP: Northwest Plant Group
DRAINAGE BASIN: Lake Superior
RIVER: Nipigon
NEAREST POPULATION CENTRE: Nipigon (16.9 km (10.5 Miles) South)
IN SERVICE DATE:
UNIT 1 - March 13, 1921
UNIT 2 - December 20, 1920
UNIT 3 - July 1924
UNIT 4 - September 1924
UNIT 5 - 1925
UNIT 6 - April 8, 1926
UNIT 7 - September 9, 1958
BUILT BY: Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario
Asset Transferred to Ontario Power Generation: April 1, 1999
NUMBER OF UNITS: 7
CONTROL: Remote from Thunder Bay
HISTORICAL NOTE:
The City of Port Arthur (now ThunderBay) was served at that time with electrical energy by the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, under an agreement with the Kaministiquia Power Company, bearing date of September 9, 1909, which expired in December, 1920. The agreement provided for a supply of power up to 10 000 hp. Requirements in excess of this amount would necessitate additional development.
The construction of new terminal grain elevators, the demands for power for pulp and paper industries, and the possibilities of the mineral resources of the district, as well as the rapidly increasing loads in both cities, were indicative of a demand far in excess of the available capacity.
The demand for the use of electrical energy in Northwestern Ontario having become such that additional generating capacity was found necessary. The Commission, at the urgent request of the municipalities in the area of Port Arthur and Fort William, undertook the construction of a large development on the Nipigon River at Cameron's Falls to meet the immediate power requirements and with plans arranged to permit extensions should the need arise.
During the period of preliminary investigation concerning the future power supply of this district, considerable attention was given to a development at Silver Falls, near Dog Lake, on the Kaministiquia River, located approximately 48 km (30 miles) west of Port Arthur.
Neither the Kaministiquia Power Company nor the scheme of development of Silver Falls at Dog Lake was capable of taking care of high load factor loads such as pulp and paper mills to the same extent as the various possible developments on the Nipigon River, due to greater variation of stream flow and much smaller drainage area. It was quite obvious that the Nipigon site should be adopted.
By-laws were submitted in Fort William and Port Arthur on January 1, 1917, authorizing the execution of an agreement with the Commission covering delivery of power from the Nipigon Development, and were carried almost unanimously in both municipalities. Agreements were executed between the Commission and the Cities of Port Arthur and Fort William on May 17 and October 10, 1917, respectively, and an Order-in-Council was passed accordingly, providing the necessary funds and authorizing the Commission to proceed with the construction work.
MISCELLANEOUS:
The Fishway - A fish ladder has been provided around the west end of the powerhouse. Each year, visitors are found along the shores of the Nipigon River which is justifiably famous for its trout fishing. The design of the ladder was endorsed by the Provincial & Fisheries Department. The ladder provides a free and satisfactory passage for the fish in their annual upstream migration. This ladder is no longer in use.
The Colony - "The Hydro Colony" came about when the Cameron Falls station was built. At one time, employees and their families numbered about 150. Approximately 40 employees operated and maintained the colony up to 1973. For many years, Cameron Falls was more or less isolated. In 1927, the first automobile appeared in the community - a 1925 Chevrolet. At that time, there was only a tortuous road leading into Cameron Falls but in 1929, a highway was built making it possible to drive to Port Arthur in about two hours.
One of the outstanding features of the colony was it's own railway line which linked Cameron Falls with the stop on the CNR line and the plant at Alexander Landing. The small gas car could carry six passengers, mail and small consignments of freight. When a transformer or other pieces of heavy equipment had to be moved from the plant to the railway stop, the Hydro locomotive and a railway freight car were used. Although small and quaint in appearance, this gas powered engine did an efficient job.
This Hydro community also had a broadcasting station. It served for shortwave communication between Cameron Falls, Toronto, Long Lac and Key points is the Ogoki diversion area.
As a result of a study conducted in 1970, a decision was made to relocate the residents of the colony to the Town of Nipigon some 22 km (14 miles) away. All the residents elected to purchase houses moved from the generating station site to lots of their selection in Nipigon. When this operation was completed in 1972, the remaining building on the site were offered for public sale and removal. The colony was disbanded by 1973.