Manicouagan Reservoir

A large annular reservoir in central Quebec, formed when the Daniel-Johnson Dam flooded the ring-shaped Manicouagan impact structure.

Manicouagan impact structure: A large, eroded impact crater in Quebec, marked by a ring-shaped structure around an uplifted central area. The reservoir occupies the structure’s annular depression, making the crater’s shape visible in water.
Hydroelectric reservoir: An artificial lake created or regulated to store water for hydroelectric power generation. The Manicouagan Reservoir is a large example of this infrastructure.
Impact crater: A roughly circular depression formed when an asteroid or comet strikes a planetary surface. The reservoir’s basin follows the depression left by an ancient impact.
Manic-5 generating station: The hydroelectric generating station associated with the Daniel-Johnson Dam, officially named in honor of Premier Daniel Johnson. It produces electricity using water stored and regulated by the reservoir.
Daniel-Johnson Dam: A hydroelectric dam on the Manicouagan River in Quebec, completed in 1968. Its construction flooded the crater’s annular depression to create the reservoir.
Hydraulic head: The elevation-related energy available to water, commonly expressed as the height difference driving flow. Water-level differences help determine the energy available to downstream generating stations.
Erosion: The removal and transport of rock or soil by water, wind, ice, or gravity. Long erosion reshaped the impact structure before the reservoir filled it.
Manic-2 generating station: A Hydro-Québec hydroelectric station on the Manicouagan River downstream from the Daniel-Johnson Dam. It is among the downstream facilities supplied by regulated flow from the reservoir.
Manicouagan River: A river in central Quebec that flows south from the Manicouagan region to the St. Lawrence River. The river supplies and drains the impounded water.
Hydroelectric power station: A facility that converts water’s mechanical energy into electricity using turbines and generators. Stations in the Manicouagan system turn regulated river flow into electricity.

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Popigai impact structureRelated: Its visible ring and much greater age offer a comparison with Popigai’s structure.