Kettle Generating Station
{{Infobox dam
| name = Kettle Generating Station
| name_official =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| image_alt =
| location_map = Manitoba
| location_map_size =
| location_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|56|23|03|N|94|38|06|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country = Canada
| location = Gillam
| status = O
| construction_began = 1966
| opening = 1973
| demolished =
| cost = C$240 million
| owner =
| dam_type =
| dam_height =
| dam_height_thalweg =
| dam_height_foundation=
| dam_length =
| dam_width_crest =
| dam_width_base =
| dam_volume =
| dam_elevation_crest =
| dam_crosses = Lower Nelson River
| spillway_count =
| spillway_type = Eight gates
| spillway_capacity = {{Convert|8349|m3/s|ft3/s|0|abbr=on}}
| res_name = Stephens Lake
| res_capacity_total =
| res_capacity_active =
| res_capacity_inactive=
| res_catchment =
| res_surface = {{Convert|337|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}}
| res_elevation = Winter: {{Convert|141.1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
Summer: {{Convert|140.2|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| res_max_depth =
| res_max_length = {{Convert|36|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
| res_max_width =
| plant_hydraulic_head = {{Convert|30|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| res_tidal_range =
| plant_operator =
| plant_commission = 1973-1974
| plant_decommission =
| plant_type =
| plant_turbines = 12 x 102 MW Propeller turbine
| plant_capacity = {{convert|1220|MW|abbr=on}}
| plant_annual_gen =
| website =
| extra =
}}
The Kettle Generating Station, also known as Kettle Rapids Generating Station, is a run-of-the-river{{cite web|title=Kettle Generating Station|url=https://www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/licensing/kettle.html|publisher=Manitoba Government|accessdate=4 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311080538/http://www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/licensing/kettle.html|archive-date=11 March 2012|url-status=dead}} hydroelectric power station on the Lower Nelson River in Manitoba, Canada. It is located {{Convert|6|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} northwest of Gillam. As part of the Nelson River Hydroelectric Project, the power station was completed in 1973 and the last generator commissioned in 1974. It has an installed capacity of {{convert|1220|MW}} and is the second largest power station in Manitoba.{{cite web|title=Kettle Generating Station|url=http://www.hydro.mb.ca/corporate/facilities/gs_kettle.shtml|publisher=Manitoba Hydro|accessdate=4 March 2012}}
Construction on the station began in the spring of 1966 and it was carried out in several phases. First, the power house was constructed after a circular coffer dam was set on the right side of the river. Second, the spillway was built adjacent and to the left of the power house while the river flowed through the power house in the meantime. Once the spillway was complete the entire the river was diverted through it. At this point, the turbines and generators were loaded into the power house and the earth-fill section on the dam's left bank was completed. The first generator was commissioned in December 1970 and seven generators were operational in June 1973 when the station was officially opened. The last generator was commissioned in November 1974.{{cite web|title=Kettle Generating Station |url=http://www.hydro.mb.ca/corporate/facilities/brochures/kettle_1106.pdf |publisher=Manitoba Hydro |accessdate=4 March 2012 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Of the river's {{Convert|885|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} width, the power house covers {{Convert|380|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} or 43 percent. The spillway covers 22 percent in the center of the dam and the earth-fill dam completes the remaining 35 percent in length. The dam's spillway is controlled by eight floodgates and can discharge up to {{Convert|8349|m3/s|ft3/s|0|abbr=on}} of water. The power house contains twelve 102 MW propeller-type turbine-generators for an installed capacity of 1,220 MW. Each turbine can discharge up to {{Convert|270|m3/s|ft3/s|0|abbr=on}} and are afforded {{Convert|30|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} of hydraulic head.{{cite web|title=Hydroelectric Plants in Manitoba|url=http://www.industcards.com/hydro-canada-mb.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126160110/http://www.industcards.com/hydro-canada-mb.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 26, 2013|publisher=IndustCards|accessdate=4 March 2012}}
See also
{{stack|{{Portal|Canada|Water|Renewable energy}}}}
- List of largest power stations in Canada
- Long Spruce Generating Station – second dam downstream, completed in 1979
- Limestone Generating Station – third dam downstream, completed in 1990