Source: Nipigon River

The Ogoki Reservoir is located on the Nipigon River system. The drainage area of the Ogoki River basin that contributes to Lake Nipigon is approximately 13,578 km². Since 1943, the Ogoki control dams have diverted water from the Ogoki to the Nipigon watershed. Flow into Lake Nipigon from the Ogoki Reservoir is through the Summit Dam, which typically maintains flow year-round. The Summit Dam is comprised on eight log sluices and controls flow south down the Little Jackfish River to Ombabika Bay at the northeast end of Lake Nipigon.

Lake Nipigon has a surface area of 4,500 km2 with a length of 110 km in the north-south direction and approximately 70 km in the east-west direction. There are many tributaries that feed water into Lake Nipigon, but the major contributor is the Little Jackfish River. The outflow from Lake Nipigon is through the Nipigon River. Lake Nipigon’s water level is measured at two different locations, one at Wabinosh Bay and the other in Orient Bay. The average elevation of the two gauges is the reported value for Lake Nipigon elevation.

The Waboose Control Dam is located on the Nipigon River system and regulates the diversion of water from the Ogoki River to Lake Nipigon and the Nipigon River. The dam is located on the Ogoki River at Waboose Rapids and began operating in 1943.

The Summit Control Dam is located on the Nipigon River system and was constructed in 1941. This dam regulates the diversion of water from the Ogoki Reservoir to Lake Nipigon through the Little Jackfish River.

Pine Portage Generating Station is located on the Nipigon River System, approximately 20 km upstream of Cameron Falls. The station has four generating units which came into operation between 1950 and 1954 and has a maximum generating capacity of 145 MW.

The outflow from Pine Portage GS helps control water elevation on Lake Nipigon.

Cameron Falls Generating Station is located on the Nipigon River system between Alexander and Pine Portage GS. The station has two powerhouses with seven generating units which came into operation between 1921 and 1958. This station has a maximum generating capacity of 92 MW.

In addition to the main dam above Cameron’s Pool, there are seven auxiliary dams which manage water on the Nipigon River system.

Alexander Generating Station is a run-of-river plant on the Nipigon River system, located approximately 2.5 km downstream of Cameron Falls Generating Station. The station has five units that came into operation between 1931 and 1958. This station has a maximum generating capacity of 69 MW.

The forebay at this station is controlled by the outflow at Cameron Falls Generating Station. The spillwall is used to divert flow around the generating station during maintenance activities on the generators or during high water events.