Brilliant Dam

Brilliant Dam
Brilliant Dam
Country	Canada
Location	Central Kootenay; British Columbia
Coordinates	49°19′29″N 117°37′12″W / 49.32472°N 117.62000°W
Purpose	Hydroelectricity
Status	Operational
Opening date	June 1944
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Kootenay River
Height (foundation)	42.6 m (140 ft)
Hydraulic head	28 m (92 ft)
Installed capacity	265 MW

Brilliant Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Kootenay River near Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada. It was built during the Second World War, mostly by Doukhobour men exempt from military service, and its 129 MW twin turbines first came into operation in June, 1944. The Columbia Power Corporation purchased the dam from Teck Cominco in 1996.^[1]

Brilliant Dam is 42.6 metres high, with a net hydraulic head of 28 metres, and eight sluice gates. In 2000 work began to increase flow and upgrade the generating units. Upon completion, its four turbines will generate a combined 145 MW of electricity.^[2]

In 2003, the Columbia Power Corporation began the Brilliant expansion project. The project includes the construction of an additional powerhouse on the left bank, housing a 120 MW Kaplan turbine which uses excess water beyond the capacity of the original powerhouse.^[3] Completed in 2007, it increased the combined generation of the dam to 265 MW.

Brilliant Dam is downstream of Kootenay River's 49 MW Corra Linn Dam, 583 MW Kootenay Canal and 600 MW Libby Dam.