Another Company Owned Town - Churchill Falls

WOW! I didn’t realize how such a little thing like having a hot shower can make you feel so good. Parcel that with waking to partially sunny skies is even better. We started the morning our usual way with coffee, breakfast, and on the road by 8:30. We are lucky, all paved highway from Fermont to Churchill Falls. Life is good. The terrain is much less hilly with plenty of lakes.

Nice paved roads, less hills, and some sun

At mile marker 185 Susan saw another black bear dash off into the woods. I caught a glimpse of its head. We stopped at Churchill Falls but of course not a lot of water is flowing over due to the hydroelectric dam.

Use to be a torrent falls

Our camping location for the next couple of nights was the Churchill Falls Arena. They had 20 amp service we could plug into but I chose not to. When 10 rigs pull into town it seems that everyone knows we are here. They are all so willing to help or just sit and talk about the road conditions your coming from or going too.

My dilemma didn’t start until I got parked. I found a screw in my rig tire. Here we go again. I walked to the one and only gas station in town which also happens to be the liquor store, convenient store, tire repair store, and everything else store.

Had to be the last campground...we found nails everywhere

I jacked up the rig, took the tire off, and roll it down the hill to see if the guy can fix it. No can do. So going down was easy but coming up not so easy. I made it. I put the spare on and loaded the “screwed tire” into the back of the truck. It’s going to have to wait until Goose Bay.

I seem to be showing this view alot

At this point all the rigs were present except Doug & Kay with their Earth Roamer. They finally pulled in and their vehicle not not sounding so good. Something is definitely wrong! Not sure where they are going to take it way out here.

Churchill Falls has one of the largest underground hydro-electric powerhouses in the world. We were fortunate enough to have a tour of the facility. However, we have to descend into the earth 1,020 feet. Susan will not be making this trip.

The community of Churchill Falls is today operated by Nalcor Energy. This site was recognized as a potential source for hydro-electric in 1894 by A.P. Low. After many years of planning and five years of non-stop work the plant was completed in 1971. 

Nalcor Energy

Lines crossing Churchill River

  












We were given a 1/2 hour introduction by a wonderful company worker who knew just about everything you can know about Churchill Falls. The next step was suiting up with hardhats, vests, and earplugs.

Getting ready for the plunge

...an elevator to take us down

As we get off the elevator we pass through a series of door. This is where the 11 transformers are contained, 457 meters below the surface.

A new transformer ready for installation 

As we walk through the underground tunnel the vastness is overwhelming.

This place is monstrous

In case of emergencies there is a 1 mile long tunnel that leads to the surface. A full size bus is available in the tunnel to do so. It is a 60% uphill grade to the surface so walking is out of the question. Precious can make that climb, no sweat.

The bus is ready for evacuation with keys in the ignition 

 There are approximately 30 people underground at any given time. All have to sign in before descending into the plant. The refuge chamber is a place, in case of an emergency that one can go if they are unable to get out. It can hold 37 people and has enough supplies for all to survive 1 month. After that I guess your on your own.

Behind that steel door is the refuge chamber

The heart of the generating plant is the powerhouse or machine room. This room like the other areas was excavated out of 3 billion year old granite. It is located at 310 meters (1,020 feet) below surface, is 296 meters (972 feet) long, 24 meters (81 feet) wide, and 47 meters (154 feet) high.

The powerhouse

Once we toured the powerhouse we made our way to the surface (in the elevator) and the much needed sunshine. I didn't feel like I was below ground at any point maybe because of its shear size and vastness. All in all it was the best tour to date.
Some quick facts:
* the plant has 11 generating units and penstocks
* plant capacity of 5,428 megawatts electricity
* majority of the power is sold to Quebec, contract end 2041
* plant generates approximately 34 billion kilowatt hours of energy per year
* transmission lines span 1,829 meters (6,000 feet) over the Churchill River
* first commercial delivery of power was December 6, 1971
* zero fatalities since construction