Northern Quebec Hydroelectricity - Manicouagan V

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Daniel Johnson Dam is the largest hollow-body multiple-arch-and-buttress dam in the world. It is named after a former Quebec Premiere who made many contributions to the development of hydroelectricity. Manicouagan 5, known locally as Manic 5, actually refers to the power house associated with the dam. The power generated from dams in northeastern Canada provides electricity to the Eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada. Both the mighty Churchill River in Labrador and the Daniel Johnson Power Dam are remarkable engineering feats and are awe-inspiring when seen up close and personal. One of the engineering challenges was the minus 40 degree winter temperature which deteriorated all known insulation on the power lines. After replacing the lines several times, Quebec Hydro developed a workable extra-high voltage transmission capability.

This dam was designed by Andre Coyne (1891-1960). Construction of the Daniel Johnson Dam was in progress from 1961 to 1968. Unfortunately, numerous cracks have plagued this structure. The main power house, Manic 5, has eight generating units capable of producing 1,528 MW of hydroelectric power and was commissioned in 1970. The secondary power house, Manic 5-PA, has four generating units capable of producing 1,064 MW of hydroelectric power and was commissioned in 1989. That's a total of 12 generating units capable of producing 2,592 MW of hydroelectric power.

Premier Daniel Johnson was to have officially opened the dam on September 26, 1968. However, after attending a pre-inauguration fete the night before, Premier Johnson passed away. The inauguration was canceled and the dam was not officially opened until September 26, 1969. At this time, the dam was named for the late premiere. Johnson's wife and children officiated at the ceremony which officially opened the Manic V.