kilometres downstream from the plant, a concrete spillway, called the "A" dam,
was constructed to control the surplus flow of the river.
of the "A" dam caused the surplus water to cut a channel through the
swamp, clay, and muskeg to Sandy Bay, near the community of the same name. The new channel
formed an island on which the Island Falls town site was situated.
power plant began operation in 1930 and supplied power to the HBM&S mining operation at
Flin Flon, Manitoba, nearly 100 KM away.
community of Island Falls was home to many of the plant's employees until 1967 when the
station became remotely controlled and staffing levels were reduced drastically. The plant
is now staffed almost entirely by people from Sandy Bay.
took ownership of Island Falls in 1981 and in 1985 assumed operations from HBM&S.
Falls Hydroelectric Station operates seven generator units and has an installed capacity of
101 MW. The three original 1929 turbine generator units, built in England, are still in service today.
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Related links
View slideshow — photographs from construction to present day.
Find out more about Island Falls Hydro Station at saskpower.com
www.islandfalls.ca — a website dedicated to preserving the history of Island Falls.
