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All Canada Québec Daniel-Johnson Dam

Daniel-Johnson Dam

This artful dam holds back a crater-made reservoir that can be seen from space.

Québec

Added By
Rob Tallia
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Daniel-Johnson Dam   Rob Tallia
Daniel-Johnson Dam   Rob Tallia
Massive arches of the Daniel-Johnson Dam in Quebec.   Rob Tallia
The arches rise up to 700 feet.   Rob Tallia
Daniel-Johnson Dam in Quebec.   Rob Tallia
From the base of the dam, on highway 389   ryancarman / Atlas Obscura User
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About

One of the world's biggest dams that created one of the world's largest reservoirs surrounding one of the world's most massive craters which was caused by one of the largest meteorites to ever strike the Earth. So there.

While this massive concrete dam isn't quite big enough to be seen from space, the reservoir it created, one of Canada's largest, certainly can be. The reservoir itself surrounds Manicouagan Crater, which usually garners most of the attention paid to the area along with the meteorite that created it. However the colossal man-made dam (formerly named "Manic-5") is a sight to see in itself. The arched concrete buttresses go as high as 700 feet, and together the 14 buttresses are nearly three-quarters of a mile long. Before the dam was completed in 1968, the water surrounding Manicouagan Crater was actually two crescent-shaped lakes. However, once the dam came online these lakes connected to form an "annular" lake with an artificial island in the middle. 

Hydro Quebec runs seasonal tours of the dam which are conducted in French, but guides at the visitor center do speak English and can answer pretty much any question. The visitor center is filled with models, simulations, and great photos of the construction process. The Daniel-Johnson Dam is a terrific example of man reacting to the earth reacting to space.   

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Dams Craters Water Electrical Oddities Architectural Oddities Architecture

Know Before You Go

Drive north 216 kilometers from Baie-Comeau on the only road there is, Route 389. You'll run right into the dam, as it's one of the most massive structures you'll ever see. You really, really can't miss it.

Community Contributors

Added By

Rob Tallia

Edited By

Martin, Mike Portanova, Drag0nfly, ryancarman

  • Martin
  • Mike Portanova
  • Drag0nfly
  • ryancarman

Published

September 12, 2012

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  • http://www.hydroquebec.com/visit/cote_nord/manic-5.html
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel-Johnson_Dam
Daniel-Johnson Dam
Québec, G0H
Canada
50.646667, -68.724444
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Lake Manicouagan

Rivière-aux-Outardes, Québec

miles away

Uapishka Art Cabins

Rivière-aux-Outardes, Québec

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Québec

Québec

Canada

Places 89
Stories 3

Nearby Places

Lake Manicouagan

Rivière-aux-Outardes, Québec

miles away

Uapishka Art Cabins

Rivière-aux-Outardes, Québec

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Québec

Québec

Canada

Places 89
Stories 3

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