The Slave Falls Generating Station is Manitoba’s oldest power station. The powerful falls and the natural island that divides the river made it an ideal location for a power plant.

After 87 years of service in an aggressive northern environment, the structure needed some maintenance. Yearly safety inspections between 2008 and 2017 showed an escalation in deterioration and spalling at the base of the pier, suggesting freeze-thaw damage and corrosion of the reinforcing rebar.

The top concern was the increasing risk of structural failure, which would result in an uncontrolled flow of water. Such a failure would pose a risk to any recreational or resource users in close proximity to the structure, with further environmental consequences to the aquatic and wildlife population.

A concrete containment wall, or jacket, was built around Pier 1 as a temporary stabilization solution to allow the spillway to operate normally, and contained the pier in the event of a failure.

The repair extends the time available to continue investigations and planning for long term remediation options for the spillway structure.

In total, over 6,541 manhours were dedicated to the concrete repair and protection operations.

The International Concrete Repair Institute recognized the project with a 2019 Award of Merit in the Repair of Water Structures.