2019.005.5 2 mi tunnel for Power on Arrow Lake

Accession Num: 2019.005.5

Negative Code:

Extent:

Document Date: 1948-05- - 1951-03-

Donors: Annette Devlin

Creators: Ken Stewart

Keywords: 1940s, BC Hydro, dam construction, drill, Lower Arrow Lake, mining, power station, tunnel, Whatshan Dam, Whatshan hydroelectric station, Whatshan Lake, and Whatshan Tunnel

Locations: Needles and Whatshan Lake

Physical Description:
1 b/w photograph (14.6 cm x 8.8 cm)

Notes:
Group of miners posing for portrait inside tunnel during construction, tunnel connecting new Whatshan Dam to Whatshan hydroelectric station on Lower Arrow Lake north of Needles. Tunnel construction began in May 1948 and was completed 21 March 1951. Photo via Ken Stewart (second from bottom right in photo). Inscription accompanying photo set: 'Note the solid rock. That was blasted & drilled & mucked out & made ready for water. It's been quite a project. Too bad you couldn't have seen it while under operation. To Mum Dad Bob from Ken.'