Otter Rapids Generating Station

{{Infobox dam

| name = Otter Rapids Generating Station

| name_official =

| image = Otter Rapids Dam.JPG

| image_size = 300px

| image_caption = Otter Rapids Dam and Generating Station as seen from the Ontario Northland Railway

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| location_map = Canada Ontario

| location_map_size =

| location_map_caption = Location of Otter Rapids Generating Station in Ontario

| coordinates = {{coord|50|11|01|N|81|38|10|W|region:CA-ON_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| country = Canada

| location = Cochrane District, Ontario

| status = O

| construction_began =

| opening = {{Start date|1961|09|26}}

| demolished =

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| owner = Ontario Power Generation

| dam_type = E

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| spillway_count = 1

| spillway_type = Controlled chute

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| plant_turbines = 4 x 46 MVA, 60 Hz, 138.4 RPM{{Cite web|url= http://www.vibrosystm.com/pdf/OPG_OtterRapids.PDF |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20060526193305/http://www.vibrosystm.com/pdf/OPG_OtterRapids.PDF |last1= Bomben|first1= Stefano G|last2= Pratt|first2= Brian I|title= Pre-Outage Installation Of The Air Gap Monitoring System Reduces Outage Time And Saves Money|work= User Conference on Machine Condition Monitoring – Orlando, Florida, USA – May 1–2, 2001|date= 2001-05-02|archivedate= 2006-05-26|accessdate= 2011-10-14}}

| plant_capacity = 182 MW

| plant_annual_gen =

| website = {{URL|http://www.opg.com/generating-power/hydro/northeast-ontario/Pages/otter-rapids-station.aspx}}

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Otter Rapids Generating Station is a dam and hydroelectric power plant located in Pitt Township{{cite web|url= http://www.geologyontario.mndmf.gov.on.ca/website/historic_claim_maps/P/Pitt.pdf |title= Pitt|work= Geology Ontario - Historic Claim Maps|publisher= Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry|accessdate= 2011-10-14}} in the Unorganized North Part of Cochrane District in Northeastern Ontario, Canada.{{cite cgndb|id= FDOIV|title= Otter Rapids|accessdate=2011-10-14}} Owned by Ontario Power Generation, this 4-unit, 182 MW station is part of the Northeast Plant Group.{{cite web|title=Otter Rapids Generating Station|url=http://www.opg.com/generating-power/hydro/northeast-ontario/Pages/otter-rapids-station.aspx|website=www.opg.com|accessdate=11 February 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113005448/http://www.opg.com/generating-power/hydro/northeast-ontario/Pages/otter-rapids-station.aspx|archivedate=13 November 2014|location=Toronto}} The Ontario Northland Railway runs past this facility.{{cite news|last=Martin |first=Douglas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/03/travel/polar-bear-express.html |title=Polar Bear Express|newspaper= The New York Times|date=1984-06-03 |accessdate=2010-07-30}}

Preliminary surveys of the site were conducted in 1945. In 1951 additional site information was gathered with studies and estimates refined. Approval under the Navigable Waters Protection Act was received in October 1958 and the first generating unit came online on September 26, 1961.

The Otter Rapids Generating Station was the last of four generating stations completed on the Abitibi River in the James Bay watershed.

A community of employees and their families inhabited the adjacent colony called Otter Rapids. This community of over 1,000 people was well equipped with a bank, post office, snack bar, grocery store, billiard hall, bowling alley, curling rink, hockey rink, fire hall, 10-bed hospital and auditorium.