Overview
Smooth Rock Falls is a 7.4 MW hydroelectric power plant in Ontario, Canada, operated by Gemini-Srf Power Corp. It generates renewable electricity from hydropower.
Smooth Rock Falls is a hydroelectric power plant located in Ontario, Canada, with a capacity of 7.4 MW. The facility is owned and operated by Gemini-Srf Power Corp and is currently operational. As a small-scale hydroelectric plant, it contributes to Canada's renewable energy portfolio. Hydroelectric power is a well-established technology in Canada, which has abundant water resources. The plant likely operates as a run-of-river or reservoir-based facility, depending on local hydrology. Regulatory oversight falls under provincial and federal environmental laws, including the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and provincial water management regulations. The plant provides clean electricity to the local grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Its small capacity suggests it serves a local community or industrial user. Hydroelectric plants have low operational emissions but can affect aquatic ecosystems, requiring careful management of water flows and fish passage.
Environmental context
The plant is located in a region with abundant water resources, typical of Canadian hydroelectric projects. Its small capacity (7.4 MW) minimizes landscape alteration compared to large dams. Hydroelectric generation produces no direct air emissions, supporting Canada's climate goals. However, changes to water flow can impact local aquatic habitats, requiring adherence to environmental flow regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Smooth Rock Falls is located in Ontario, Canada, near the town of Smooth Rock Falls. Its coordinates are approximately 49.2857° N, -81.6376° W.
The Smooth Rock Falls hydroelectric plant has a capacity of 7.4 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale renewable energy facility.
The plant is owned and operated by Gemini-Srf Power Corp, a Canadian power generation company.
Hydroelectric plants in Canada are regulated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) and provincial water management laws. They must comply with environmental impact assessments, water flow management, and fish habitat protection measures.
Hydroelectric power produces no direct air emissions, but it can alter aquatic ecosystems by changing water flow, temperature, and sediment transport. Proper siting and operational measures, such as fish ladders and minimum flow releases, help mitigate these impacts.