Robert-Bourassa Reservoir

The Robert-Bourassa Reservoir (French: Réservoir Robert-Bourassa) is a man-made lake in northern Quebec, Canada. It was created in the mid-1970s as part of the James Bay Project and provides the needed water for the Robert-Bourassa and La Grande-2-A generating stations. It has a maximum surface area of 2,835 square kilometres (1,095 sq mi), and a surface elevation between 168 metres (551 ft) and 175 metres (574 ft).[1] The reservoir has an estimated volume of 61.7 cubic kilometres (14.8 cu mi), of which 19.4 cubic kilometres (4.7 cu mi) is available for hydro-electric power generation.[2]

Robert-Bourassa Reservoir
Robert-Bourassa Reservoir Location in Quebec
Location	Baie-James, Jamésie Territory, Quebec
Coordinates	53°45′N 77°00′W
Lake type	Artificial
Primary inflows	La Grande River
Primary outflows	La Grande River
Catchment area	97,643 km2 (37,700 sq mi)
Basin countries	Canada
Surface area	2,835 km2 (1,095 sq mi)
Average depth	21.8 m (72 ft)
Max. depth	137 m (449 ft)
Water volume	61.7 km3 (14.8 cu mi)
Residence time	0.5 years
Shore length1	4,550 km (2,830 mi)
Surface elevation	175 m (574 ft)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

The reservoir is formed behind the Robert-Bourassa Dam that was built across a valley of the La Grande River. This dam was constructed from 1974 to 1978, is 550 m (1,800 ft) wide at its base, and has 23 million m³ (30 million yd³) of fill.[3] There are another 31 smaller dikes keeping the water inside the reservoir.

Robert-Bourassa reservoir near the Robert-Bourassa generating station.