A major hydro station on the Ottawa River is marking 75 years in operation.
Des Joachims Generating Station – better known as “Da Swisha” – has been producing low-carbon, reliable electricity since 1950. Built during Ontario’s post-war hydro expansion, it remains one of the largest hydro stations in Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) fleet.
The 430MW facility, located near Rolphton in eastern Ontario, was officially opened by Ontario Premier Leslie Frost on June 28, 1950. At the time, it was one of the province’s most ambitious energy projects, playing a central role in transforming the Ottawa River into a key source of renewable power.
Named after two brothers from the Joachims family, the station’s French name – roughly pronounced “day-swa-shem” – was gradually shortened by locals to the now-familiar “Da Swisha.” The nickname, like the station, has endured.
During peak construction, more than 3100 workers were employed. The project required 672,848 cubic metres of concrete. A village was also built to house workers and their families, complete with living quarters, recreational buildings, and a 30-bed hospital.
Today, Des Joachims remains the largest station on the Ottawa River and the fourth-largest in OPG’s hydro fleet. It generates enough electricity to power over 320,000 homes.
To ensure the station remains operational well into the future, OPG continues to invest in regular maintenance. A full refurbishment is planned in the coming years as part of a broader $1 billion, 20-year plan to upgrade eight hydro stations in eastern Ontario.
“As Ontario’s demand for clean electricity continues to grow, stations like Des Joachims will be important as ever,” the company said. “The station’s longevity proves that with the right care, hydro infrastructure built decades ago can continue powering the province far into the future.”
A public celebration will be held at the station on Saturday, August 16, to mark the anniversary.
