Outardes-3


Outardes-3 is a hydroelectric power station and dam on the Outardes River northwest of Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Canada. The power station was commissioned in 1969 and is run-of-the-river.
Outardes-3 was built in conjunction with the Manicouagan-Outardes project and is located downstream of Outardes-4. Only a high concrete dam was needed to exploit of hydraulic head as the dam raised up water into the existing Lake Tirebouchon. Raising the water in the lake allowed it to rise east near the actual power station downstream. Near the eastern portion of the lake, two depressions were filled in with small dikes to withhold the higher lake level, one of which supports a concrete spillway. From the intake on the northern portion of the concrete dam, water is fed via four penstocks towards the underground power station. Water being discharged from the power station enters a long and high tunnel before being returned to the river.