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 Mowgli-dog
   
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Gender: Male
 |  |  | Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
< on 7/2/2005 7:49 AM >
|  | | | Just wondering if anyone has any information on these. I remember someone had some exterior shots in the database, but since the level changes, I can't view them. I've been doing a lot of boating up the arm lately, and my attention is always drawn to them. Great old architecture, very solid looking.
There are 2 power plants, I call them north and south, only a few hundred yards from each other. Today we got out and had a look at the northern-most plant. In behind there is a tunnel that goes right up the mountain, the old water penstock is in the tunnel, and you can walk right up beside it on a rickety, unsafe-looking wooden walkway. We didn't venture up too high, we couldn't see any daylight at the top, or as far as the flashlights would shine. Above the north power plant, there is a really old looking (power plant?) with all the windows broken, it's not accessible from the water due to the sheer cliffs. Very curious about this one.
Right beside the north plant there is an annex made from modern day materials, water still comes out of the annex part, mechanical noises can be heard, and there are an abundance of warning signs. The annex is active, but the old part appears not to be used. I looked in a few windows, but couldn't see any machinery or generators, there was no water coming out, and many of the tunnels where water would come out are blocked with debris.
Anyone know how long the north plant has been shut down for? Any info on the upper power plant visible but not accessible from the water?
I next plan to poke around at the south powerplant, it's more palatial looking, and is still active from what I can see. The lights are alway's on, and it has the standard abundance of warning signs saying "caution water can start at any time.
I know these plants originated to produce power from water obtained from Buntzen Lake. Buntzen Lake is fed from Coquitlam Lake, the drinking water reservoir. As demand for drinking water increased, the availability of water for power generation decreased. I may be wrong, but I think the south power plant is still operational, and can be used at peak times. The north plant looks shut, except for the modern looking annex. Still curious as to why they built 2 different power plants so close to each other, they appear to be of similar vintage. Anybody have any info?
Hoping there are some hydro historians out there with some knowledge to share...
"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." -George Orwell
Rest in peace, my pal Mowgli - the best dog there ever was. |
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Viper
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada
Gender: Male
Trespassing On!
| | | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 1 on 7/3/2005 7:31 PM >
| | | | Myself, Fallen Knight, Wolfman, and Charlie have 'poked around' the power plants a couple times. They're really cool. Here are a couple pics:
Here's some info:
http://www.powerpi...1929_11070301.aspx
From BC Hydro's site:
Buntzen Lake, located just north of Ioco approximately 30 kilometres (km) from Vancouver, is a BC Hydro reservoir. It is 4.8 km long and covers an area of 182 hectares. Formerly known as Lake Beautiful, the lake is named after the first general manager of B.C. Electric Co., Johannes Buntzen. In 1903 the Buntzen hydroelectric project was put in service by the Vancouver Power Company to provide the first hydroelectric power to Vancouver. Previously, the city had to depend on a 1,500-kilowatt (kW) steam plant for its power supply. The project involved raising the level of the dam on Coquitlam Lake and excavating a 3.6 km tunnel to carry water from Coquitlam Lake to Buntzen Lake. The tunnel runs under Eagle Mountain, reaching a maximum depth of 1.2 km below the surface, and empties into the north end of Buntzen Lake.
Water from Buntzen Lake flows through penstocks down the steep mountain slope to two power plants located on Indian Arm. Buntzen No. 1 was constructed in 1903 with an initial capacity of 1,500 kW. A second powerhouse, Buntzen No. 2, was completed in 1914 with three pelton wheels delivering a total of 26,700 kW to meet Vancouver's continually increasing demand for secure electricity. The generating equipment in Buntzen No. 1 was modernized in 1951 to produce 55,000 kW of power. In 1972 one unit at Buntzen No. 2 was shut down but the two remaining units (86 years old at the turn of the century!) can still produce 17,800 kW. Both plants are monitored and operated by a remote control facility in Burnaby.
In addition to powering the two hydroelectric plants, water from Buntzen is an essential part of the operation of the Burrard Generating Station. Fresh water from Buntzen is used to produce the steam to power Burrard's generators. The natural gas-powered Burrard Generating Station plays an important role to provide back-up for the hydroelectric system during low water years, and also to provide transmission support and electrical supply security for the Lower Mainland. |
It's Fallen Knight's entry in the LDB. And I would say he is somewhat of an expert on the powerhouses in the area.
Earth, the world's most dangerous planet!
"The will to do, the soul to dare." -Sir Walter Scott |
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Mowgli-dog
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 2 on 7/4/2005 6:57 AM >
| | | | I ended up finding that link from the history of hydro. Thanks for the shots from the interior, were those interior shots from the north or south powerhouse? It's still not clear to me what powerhouse was built first, the history is a little confusing because they tore down the original powerhouse.
We're planning another boat trip soon.
On another note, for anyone with a boat, if you go right across the arm from the powerhouses, there is a cave in the side of the rock face. Did a little internet research on that, and it was apparently dug to explore mineral seams in the area. I guess the seams were not all that good because there was no other mining done. Apparently the cave goes in about 10 feet, then drops into a water filled vertical shaft. Gotta be careful if you have a look in there.
Fallen Knight, any other interesting stuff about the powerhouses not mentioned here?
"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." -George Orwell
Rest in peace, my pal Mowgli - the best dog there ever was. |
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Fallen_Knight
Location: vancouver BC
| | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 3 on 7/6/2005 7:52 AM >
|  | | | Both are still in operation, lots of sool stuff in and around there, some hidden in the woods.
Best pics i got arn't even in the DB, And tis a really cool place, hope to go back yet again soon.
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Mowgli-dog
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 4 on 7/6/2005 9:07 AM >
| | | | Am I correct to assume that the older part of the northern powerplant, the one with the metal skinned annex is no longer working? It looked like a lot of the outflow tunnels had collapsed. The building above the northern plant, what was that used for?
"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." -George Orwell
Rest in peace, my pal Mowgli - the best dog there ever was. |
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nobody
   
Location: VANCOUVER B.C.
Gender: Male
5:55 is a state of mind
| | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 5 on 7/6/2005 1:50 PM >
| | | | Is this limited to access by boat alone or can you access from topside coming down into it?
Operating Entirely With Bad Intentions |
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Mowgli-dog
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 6 on 7/6/2005 8:43 PM >
| | | | Both. You can hike in from the recreation area at Buntzen Lake, not sure how long that takes. Or you can boat right up to them. Indian Arm has pretty steep cliffs on each side. One thing you have to be mindful of is getting back to your car in time if you hike it, though, I think the lake is open later in the summer months.
Fallen Knight, would you be willing to share some of your pic's on here, or are they level 3 material only?
"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." -George Orwell
Rest in peace, my pal Mowgli - the best dog there ever was. |
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Jester
Location: Vancouver,B.C. Canada
Gender: Male
Always just out of sight...
| | | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 7 on 7/6/2005 9:04 PM >
| | | | Mowgli... Nobody... are you guys free for a coffee this weekend ? The meet will be waiting for a bit, so if anyone just wants to grab a coffee we can try to make time.
It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf. |
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nobody
Location: VANCOUVER B.C.
Gender: Male
5:55 is a state of mind
| | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 8 on 7/6/2005 9:47 PM >
| | | | Yes that would be good, perhaps Saturday morning,or whatever you guys think.
Operating Entirely With Bad Intentions |
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Jester
Location: Vancouver,B.C. Canada
Gender: Male
Always just out of sight...
| | | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 9 on 7/6/2005 9:48 PM >
| | | | Saturday morning would probably be just fine for me.
It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf. |
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Mowgli-dog
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 10 on 7/6/2005 10:12 PM >
| | | | Sure, I'm free...name the place and time or pm me
"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." -George Orwell
Rest in peace, my pal Mowgli - the best dog there ever was. |
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Fallen_Knight
Location: vancouver BC
| | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 11 on 7/7/2005 2:07 AM >
| | | | the old part at powerhouse #1 is unused and seems to only be used for storage now. #2 (south) is unmanned and not always in use but is active. I think its only when they have extra water they run it.
the walk in takes 30-45 min, depending on the trail and to where. but i normally bike, can get there in 15 min. This time of year the parks open till 8. sadly I've never been around there on a boat yet.
If you want photos i don't have the time to post them here but i can just send you a rar over MSN or something with a bunch in it.
[email protected] is my MSN
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Viper
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada
Gender: Male
Trespassing On!
| | | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 12 on 7/7/2005 5:42 AM >
| | | | Posted by Mowgli-dog
were those interior shots from the north or south powerhouse? |
They were from the North powerhouse; The one up behind the old one with the newer addition to it. Here are a couple more shots:
These 2 were taken from the outside of #2 powerhouse (the well-sealed water accessable one with the dock):
I love these old massive hoists:
I love this pic:
I recommend taking a bike around the lake too. You can cover so much distance in a short time, unless of course you go for the hike.
Earth, the world's most dangerous planet!
"The will to do, the soul to dare." -Sir Walter Scott |
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Mowgli-dog
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 13 on 7/7/2005 8:40 AM >
| | | | Great shots, thanks.
"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." -George Orwell
Rest in peace, my pal Mowgli - the best dog there ever was. |
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nobody
Location: VANCOUVER B.C.
Gender: Male
5:55 is a state of mind
| | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 14 on 7/7/2005 3:34 PM >
| | | | That door shot is way cool, what an awesome place, rich with important history.
Operating Entirely With Bad Intentions |
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Mowgli-dog
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 15 on 8/9/2005 7:57 AM >
| | | | 
"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." -George Orwell
Rest in peace, my pal Mowgli - the best dog there ever was. |
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-CHARLIE-
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Gender: Female
-Shtinky Puddin' is off to save the Tigers-
| | Re: Indian Arm/Buntzen Lake powerhouses
<Reply # 16 on 8/9/2005 8:10 AM >
| | | | yeah and if u go for a bike ride, try not to fall at the bottom of the big gravel hills, the right size bike may help prevent this
-i dunno- |
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