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UER Forum > Archived Canada: Alberta / BC > Buntzen Powerhouse 1 (Viewed 5244 times)
neptix 






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Buntzen Powerhouse 1
< on 7/13/2010 8:58 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Cave76 and I went for a bike ride around Buntzen lake the other day, and found some pretty cool places. On the way, we found this random house in the middle of nowhere. Parts of it looked about 80 years old, while parts of it were new, and the fireplace was faked with styrofoam. From the lack of foundations, I'm guessing it was an old building that was moved to this site and repaired and modified for a movie set.

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After the house in the middle of nowhere, we rode up to the north end to the lake to the cofferdam, which funnels water into the pipe.

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We hid our bikes and hiked down the hill, following the pipe, until we got to the powerhouse itself, which is actually on Indian Arm, 126 meters below the cofferdam.

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While we were there, we found some cool stuff, including a potato cannon(probably left by bc hydro employees) a current transformer(circa 1903) and the old turbine from powerhouse number 2, which is being upgraded.

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We didn't find any PEO to the powerhouse itself, at least not by land. A water approach is planned for future expeditions. All in all, a good trip, even if Cave76 fell down a cliff on the way back.

neptix

SteamPunk 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 1 on 7/14/2010 11:54 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Fake house was used in the movie "lake placid". Keep exploring the park, much more fun to be had. Just don't get get hurt...the park is stained in explorer blood. It's been told this is where the original western explorer wars began. Many died.


[last edit 7/14/2010 11:55 AM by SteamPunk - edited 1 times]

I used to be with it, but then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary to me, and it'll happen to you, too!
A. Lien 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 2 on 7/15/2010 3:23 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Nice work, a good exploration. Steam Punk may be kidding, about the blood thing, but you never know. Years ago we kayaked up to that beauty. Climbing inside, I wondered what it would be like if they opened the sluice gates...

Close to the powerhouse there is a waterfall on the right. As we passed by, two huge rottweilers jumped into the water and headed out to greet us. We put our cue tips in the water and applied serious pressure, lol.

At the end there was a private lodge. We stopped for 30 seconds at the dock and some putz told us to leave immediately. Seems an edgy place.

Cool knowledge about the film house. Part of that film was made here using Shawnigan Lake. Happy Trails and welcome.

My sister is Charlotte Light and Dark. Who am I?

Farewell and thank you... "I was doing something that I thought could have some impact someday. In many ways, it's really these photographs that kept me going creatively." Dennis Hopper
SteamPunk 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 3 on 7/15/2010 10:49 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by A. Lien
Nice work, a good exploration. Steam Punk may be kidding, about the blood thing, but you never know.


No I'm not kidding. Blood trails were left. Pictures were taken. Explorations were had.



I used to be with it, but then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary to me, and it'll happen to you, too!
HagensborgViking 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 4 on 7/19/2010 6:21 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
That house has been up there for years and years, but as old as it looks, and as old as the area is, I'm fairly certain it was purpose built for filming... They love it up there. Lake Placid, Freddy vs. Jason, Stephen King's "IT". Tons of TV too, like Supernatural, Dark Angel,Smallville...

I myself have recognised it while watching Wrong Turn 2, Devour, and They Nest. All classic four star films.



dsankt 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 5 on 7/19/2010 8:19 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
With the right savoir-faire one can explore the active powerplant there. Watch for the PIRs of course.

sleepycity.net: watch out for the third rail baby, that shit is high voltage. urbex and urban exploration photography
NightRunner 


Location: Northeastern British Columbia
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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 6 on 8/23/2010 7:50 AM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
I've been a long time reader of the forums. But felt have never had any stories that warranted contributing. This time you guys are in luck. And I can provide some info and pictures if anyone is interested. You see I just so happen be working at this site I'm not sure I should say exactly what I do there or what company I work for. While I am an avid explorer myself I find myself somewhat frustrated by fellow explorers as I work on the site. I will cover a few important things to keep in mind if you are planning on exploring this site.

-Some brief points-

-Not sure if any of you from the forums have been out there this summer and broke into the place (someone did), but if you did find that one point of entry which is now blocked you probably left in a hurry after you set off the motion sensor alarms as nothing has been noticed to be missing or disturbed by security or anyone else for that matter.

-this is not an abandonment many people seem to think it is for some reason and wander aimless into our construction site. It is an active construction site. Obey the signs and people on site. Ignorant tourists generally piss us off (yeah I'm starting to sound like a hypocrite but its different when you are the one having to chase your fellow UER's off who wander in past dozens of signs telling them to GTFO looking to chat and explore when you have more important shit to do at work).

-the turbine and head cover in the one picture posted are from powerhouse #1 not #2 (it is essentially scrap metal that will be hauled off site before the end of the construction project)

-#1 powerhouse is in the process of having its generator rebuilt. All the mechanical components are being replaced And the finishing touches are being put on the new spillway before the year is out.

-the old structure overlooking the powerhouse on the hill above used to house the electrical switchgear for the original units from the powerhouse. When the old units were replaced with the single generator on site now in the early 1950's everything was removed and the new switchgear moved outside. It is now used by hydro and its contractors as a storage warehouse, half of which is empty space which is blocked from the the rest of the building.

-the old part of the powerhouse is separated on the inside from the new section by a huge floor to ceiling tarp. Mostly empty contains a diesel backup generator and air compressor for the plant air lines and used as storage for parts during our project. Also houses bc hydros workshop and an area with work benches for welding etc. If you've been by on the water you will have seen the dock on the south end of the powerhouse taking a boat from here is how bc hydro accesses powerhouse #2 a few hundred meters south from this site.

If you have any questions about the site I can describe pretty much every part of the powerhouse and might share a few pictures if there is enough interest.




Agent Skelly 

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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 7 on 8/23/2010 8:10 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Most recently, it was used in "Psych", a series that airs on USA network down here in the states along with the rest of lake. Of course, Psych also has filmed at other locations like Riverview.

NightRunner 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 8 on 8/23/2010 8:15 AM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
A couple more facts

-the powerhouse has motion sensors, breach alarms on the doors as well as other security systems which are monitored 24/7 and security will be sent out at night should any of this stuff gets messed with or if any of the alarms on the mechanical equipment go off someone could be there from bc hydro to fix it if it is important, 24/7. You could also run into contractors working night shifts.

-there are parts of the old portion of the powerhouse that are boarded up due to asbestos, lead paint, silica dust, and mold. We'd like to keep them that way.

- I've heard hydro has been known to offer brief tours of the site in the past. If you show up on site at any point for the rest of this year and ask for one you will not get a tour due to the amount of contractors working on site for the duration of the turbine rebuild and rock hauling and construction happening on the roads and spillway. Better luck next summer.

NightRunner 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 9 on 8/23/2010 8:17 AM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
Posted by Agent Skelly
Most recently, it was used in "Psych", a series that airs on USA network down here in the states along with the rest of lake. Of course, Psych also has filmed at other locations like Riverview.


A few days ago the movie cabin was boarded up and there is talks that is going to be repaired for another movie or tv shoot.

SteamPunk 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 10 on 8/23/2010 9:33 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
What's the dealio with #2? Are there any plans for it?

I used to be with it, but then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary to me, and it'll happen to you, too!
Agent Skelly 

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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 11 on 8/23/2010 9:56 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Oh another interesting tidbit about the lake; it was first discovered for a filming location for the FOX TV Series "21 Jump Street" back in 1986; the show that helped jump start the British Columbia TV/Film industry!

Mowgli-dog 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 12 on 8/24/2010 3:32 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Thanks for the updates Nightrunner,

I'm with Steampunk here, curious what if anything is happening with #2. I've always liked how #2 looked from the water at night when it was lit up.

Seems to me it would be to everyones advantage to have 2 working powerhouses so close to a major demand centre.

If you have any pics they'd be great to see!

"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.
NightRunner 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 13 on 8/24/2010 3:52 AM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
I have not been to LB2 yet but some bc hydro guys have been working there throughout the summer decommissioning the site. All of the big windows have been boarded up over there and a lot of equipment has been removed. As for pictures I will get some up this week of some of the more interesting stuff.
The old powerhouse structures are considered to be condemned even though they are structurally sturdy because they do not meet modern earthquake resistant standards. At work we are actually supposed to limit our time in the old section of LB1 due to this, although the walls are 3-4 feet of granite stone blocks and concrete. I believe there are plans in the future to demolish LB2 and build a new plant in its place if not that than another close by that draws water from buntzen lake.
[last edit 8/24/2010 4:02 AM by NightRunner - edited 1 times]

HagensborgViking 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 14 on 8/24/2010 3:35 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Ah, BC Hydro... proud responsible stewards of our architectural heritage.

Mowgli-dog 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 15 on 8/25/2010 3:32 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I know, disappointing to hear that one.

"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.
dsankt 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 16 on 8/25/2010 9:10 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by NightRunner
I have not been to LB2 yet but some bc hydro guys have been working there throughout the summer decommissioning the site. All of the big windows have been boarded up over there and a lot of equipment has been removed.


That's sad to hear, #2 is really nice

sleepycity.net: watch out for the third rail baby, that shit is high voltage. urbex and urban exploration photography
HagensborgViking 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 17 on 8/25/2010 5:56 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I make a plea to anyone out there who has good historical research and good legal exterior photos of these gothic landmarks to contact some news outlets about doing a piece about it. Just flash this stuff in front of a reporter and they'll do the rest, like contact and question BC Hydro. They can completely erase this area's history in un-observed silence, or they can be made to question whether or not it's worth the PR nightmare.

Almost any outlet will bite this, from local rags to GlobalBC.


>remember, this isn't at all like trying to force a private owner to restore a farmhouse on his property, these are our heritage buildings.
[last edit 8/25/2010 5:59 PM by HagensborgViking - edited 1 times]

Mowgli-dog 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 18 on 8/26/2010 3:42 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I know there are National Historic Sites, and many Municipalities have a similar designation, but is there a Provincial protected Heritage designation?

You are right, both power plants are pretty much out of sight, out of mind to most people except heritage buffs and recreational boaters.

"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.
Mowgli-dog 


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Re: Buntzen Powerhouse 1
<Reply # 19 on 8/26/2010 4:02 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I thought I had some photos of old #2, but they must have disappeared with my old computer. Here's one from Flickr so everyone knows what we're talking about: (Looks solid as a rock if you ask me)

http://www.flickr....46/in/photostream/
[last edit 8/26/2010 4:03 AM by Mowgli-dog - edited 1 times]

"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.
UER Forum > Archived Canada: Alberta / BC > Buntzen Powerhouse 1 (Viewed 5244 times)
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