Overview
Snare Rapids / Ted Humphrys is an 8.5 MW hydroelectric power plant in Canada's Northwest Territories. It provides renewable electricity to the regional grid, supporting local communities.
Snare Rapids / Ted Humphrys is a hydroelectric power plant located in the Northwest Territories, Canada, near the Snare River system. With a capacity of 8.5 MW, it is a small-scale facility that contributes to the region's renewable energy mix. The plant is operational and plays a key role in supplying power to remote communities in the area. Hydroelectric power in Canada is governed by provincial and federal regulations, including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and water management laws. The Snare Rapids facility operates as a run-of-river or reservoir-based plant, typical for northern hydro projects. Its small capacity reflects the local demand and environmental constraints of the subarctic region. The plant's environmental significance lies in its low-carbon electricity generation, displacing diesel-based power that is common in off-grid northern communities. It supports energy security and reduces greenhouse gas emissions in a region sensitive to climate change. The facility is part of the Snare River hydroelectric system, which has been serving the area for decades.
Environmental context
The Snare Rapids plant operates in a subarctic environment with sensitive permafrost and boreal ecosystems. Hydroelectric generation here has a low carbon footprint compared to fossil fuel alternatives, but may affect local hydrology and fish habitats. The facility's small scale minimizes landscape alteration, and its operation supports reduced reliance on diesel generators in remote communities.
Frequently asked questions
Snare Rapids / Ted Humphrys is located in the Northwest Territories, Canada, near the Snare River system at coordinates 63.5114 N, -116.0053 W.
The Snare Rapids / Ted Humphrys hydroelectric plant has a capacity of 8.5 megawatts (MW).
It is a hydroelectric power plant, generating electricity from flowing water.
Hydroelectric plants in Canada are regulated under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, provincial water management laws, and the Fisheries Act. They must also comply with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and relevant provincial energy policies.
The plant provides renewable electricity to remote communities in the Northwest Territories, reducing reliance on diesel generators and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.