Smallwood Reservoir

The Smallwood Reservoir is a massive body of freshwater located in western Labrador, Canada. It was created specifically to support the Churchill Falls Generating Station. This facility uses moving water to produce hydroelectric power for the region. The reservoir holds a significant place in geography. It is the largest freshwater body in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. On a global scale, it ranks as the fifth-largest reservoir in the world by surface area.

Most large reservoirs rely on a single, massive dam to contain water. The Smallwood Reservoir uses a different mechanism to hold its water. Instead of one dam, engineers built a series of 88 dikes. A dike is a barrier used to prevent water from flowing out of a specific area. These dikes are spread across the drainage area of the Churchill River. The highest dike reaches 55 meters in height. The longest dike measures 1,030 meters in length. This network of barriers ensures the water stays within the intended boundaries.

Managing such a vast amount of water requires precise control structures. There are three main structures used to regulate the flow of water. The Gabbro Control Structure manages the Ossokmanuan reservoir. The Lobstick Control Structure regulates the Smallwood Reservoir itself. Finally, the Whitefish Control Structure manages the forebay reservoirs. These forebay reservoirs are also protected by spillways. These spillways act as safety valves to prevent flooding.

The geography of the area changed significantly due to this project. The reservoir sits on the Labrador Plateau. This is a landform shaped like a saucer that rises above sea level. Before the reservoir was built, the plateau was covered in bogs and small, connected lakes. Three of the largest original lakes were Ossokmanuan, Lobstick, and Michikamau. The Churchill River once drained much of this area. The river dropped at the edge of the plateau before reaching the falls. It also passed through the Bowdoin Canyon.

Human interest in the area's power potential began many decades ago. In 1942, the H.G. Acres Company conducted a study for the Aluminum Company of Canada. They wanted to see if the water could be used for power. At that time, the site was too remote to be useful. It was deemed too expensive to build anything there. However, technology eventually improved. New methods allowed for the transmission of electricity over very long distances. This advancement made the project possible.

Construction was a massive undertaking that required many years of labor. The project began in July 1967. It was managed by Acres Canadian Bechtel, which was a joint venture. This venture included Canadian Bechtel and Acres Engineering. The work lasted from 1966 until 1974. The peak of construction occurred in 1970. During that year, a total of 6,245 workers lived at the site. They stayed in one main camp and eleven satellite camps. Despite the scale, the project was completed five months ahead of its schedule.

The reservoir is named in honor of Joey Smallwood. He served as the first premier of Newfoundland. The site also has connections to historical exploration. In 1891, Bowdoin College in Maine sponsored an expedition to visit the falls. This expedition is why the nearby canyon bears that name. Today, the reservoir remains a vital part of the Churchill Falls Generating Station system. It demonstrates how engineering can transform a natural landscape to provide energy.