This hydroelectric generating station was built between 1929 and 1931 on the Winnipeg River, in what is now Whiteshell Provincial Park, as a joint venture between the firms of Stewart and Grant and John Gunn and Sons for the Winnipeg Hydro Electric System (later, Winnipeg Hydro and and today Manitoba Hydro). Built at a cost of $2,228,021, using structural steel provided by Dominion Bridge, the plant was opened by Winnipeg Mayor Ralph H. Webb on 1 September 1931. It provided electricity to the City of Winnipeg.
A small brick building was used by the Winnipeg Hydro Tramway that operated between Pointe du Bois and Slave Falls. The tramway has since been replaced by a road and the building is now used for storage.
Slave Falls Generating Station (1931)
Source: The Dotted Line, Vol. 6, No. 9, September 1931, page 1.
Aerial view of the Slave Falls Generating Station (July 1998)
Source: George Penner
Interior of Slave Falls Generating Station (1931)
Source: The Dotted Line, Vol. 6, No. 10, October 1931, page 1.
Commemorative plaque inside the Slave Falls Generating Station (April 2018)
Source: Fred Gunkel
Slave Falls Generating Station (October 2016)
Source: Manitoba Hydro
Powerhouse of the Slave Falls Generating Station (October 2016)
Source: Manitoba Hydro
Staff house at the Slave Falls Generating Station (October 2016)
Source: Manitoba Hydro
Tramway station near the Slave Falls Generating Station (September 1990)
Source: George Penner
Tramway station near the Slave Falls Generating Station (September 1990)
Source: George PennerSite Location (lat/long): N50.22213, W95.56881
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Business: John Gunn and Sons
Manitoba Business: Dominion Bridge Company
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Pointe du Bois Generating Station (Pointe du Bois, Whiteshell Provincial Park)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Pointe du Bois Staff House (Pointe du Bois, Whiteshell Provincial Park)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Pointe du Bois Stone House (Pointe du Bois, Whiteshell Provincial Park)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Slave Falls Generating Station (Winnipeg River, Whiteshell Provincial Park)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Rover Avenue Electric Terminal (199 Annabella Street, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hydro Showroom (55 Princess Street / 54 King Street, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hydro Substation No. 1 (54 King Street, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hydro Substation No. 2 (300 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: May Street Substation / Winnipeg Hydro Substation No. 3 (541 Waterfront Drive, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hydro Substation No. 4 (811 St. Matthews Avenue, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hydro Substation No. 5 (Scotland Avenue, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hydro War Memorial (Winnipeg)
“Joint tender of $2,228,021 wins approval,” Winnipeg Tribune, 6 June 1929, page 3.
“New Slave Falls Power House,” Winnipeg Tribune, 12 October 1929, page 28.
“To all Hydro employees,” The Dotted Line, August 1931, page 2. [Manitoba Legislative Library]
We thank Fred Gunkel and George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 5 September 2023
Historic Sites of Manitoba
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