Masson-Angers in Gatineau in Outaouais, Québec — Central Canada (French-Canadian)
Dompter la rivière, créer des industries
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2024
1. Dompter la rivière, créer des industries Marker
À l’origine, le territoire où seront situées la centrale de Masson et l'usine MacLaren appartenait à Sir Charles James Stuart. Ce dernier vend une partie de ses terres en 1871 pour la construction d'un moulin à scie sur la rivière du Lièvre.
La forte demande en électricité que nécessitait le travail de la pâte à papier a par la suite motivé la création de la centrale électrique et l'érection du barrage Rhéaume, tous deux construits dans les mêmes années. L'eau est acheminée par un tunnel de 1,6 kilomètres de longueur et de huit mètres de diamètre reliant le barrage Rhéaume à la centrale. L'électricité fournie par ces installations a alimenté
this page online
Les deux cheminées d'équilibre que l'on peut facilement distinguer par leur forme particulière agissent comme soupape de sécurité dans l'éventualité où les turbines de la centrale de Masson cesseraient de fonctionner.
Taming the river, creating industries
A key and iconic place because of its historical importance and its physical presence, the Masson power plant, which supplied the old MacLaren factory, is a must-see when talking about Masson's economic development. At the heart of residents' lives since the 1930s, these sites remind us of the still very present history of working with wood and turning it into paper, an activity that has been central to the area's life for about 150 years.
Originally, the land where the Masson power plant and the MacLaren factory would be located belonged to Sir Charles James Stuart. He sold part of his land in 1871 for the construction of a sawmill on the Lièvre River.
The high demand for electricity required by the paper pulp work later led to the creation of the power plant and the construction of the Rhéaume Dam, both built in the same years. Water is carried through a 1.6-kilometer-long tunnel with an eight-meter diameter connecting the Rhéaume Dam to the plant. The electricity from these facilities
Collection personnelle de M. Gérald Charron
2. Marker detail: Les ouvrages en béton avant la construction de la centrale de Masson, 1930.
The concrete structures before the construction of the Masson plant in the early 1930s.
The two balancing chimneys, which are easily recognizable by their unique shape, act as a safety valve in case the turbines at the Masson plant stop working.
Erected by Ville de Gatineau, Québec, Entente de développement culturel.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 45° 32.73′ N, 75° 25.312′ W. Marker is in Gatineau, Québec, in Outaouais. It is in Masson-Angers. It can be reached from the intersection of Chemin de Masson (Québec Route 315) and Chemin de Montréal Ouest ( Route 148), on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the recreational trail that parallels Chemin de Montréal Ouest. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gatineau QC J8M 1A6, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Ottawa Metropolitan Area and in the Outaouais & Eastern Townships. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 21 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fondation de la municipalité de Masson (a few steps from this marker); Église et dévotion à Masson (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Le commerce de proximité à Masson (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Canadian National Railways Station (1908, Vars) (approx. 3.9 kilometers away in Ontario); Knox United Church 1904, Vars
Collection personnelle de M. Guillaume Charron
3. Marker detail: Construction du tunnel permettant d’acheminer l’eau vers la centrale Masson, c. 1930.
Construction of the tunnel to channel water to the Masson power plant, around 1930.
Also see . . . Centrale Masson (World Power Plants).
Excerpt: Masson is a 119.4 MW hydroelectric power plant located in Canada, operated by Énergie La Lièvre Sec/Énergie Brookfield Inc. The plant harnesses water flow to generate electricity, contributing to the country's renewable energy portfolio. Masson ranks as the 139th largest hydro plant in Canada. With a capacity of 119.4 MW, it represents 0.12% of Canada's total hydro capacity of 102,715 MW. Canada has 612 hydro plants with a combined capacity exceeding 102,000 MW. Compared to the largest hydro plant in Canada, Centrale Robert-Bourassa at 5,616 MW, Masson is approximately 2.1% the size. Hydropower is a significant energy source in Canada, accounting for about 60% of the country's electricity generation. The geographical features of Canada, including vast river(Submitted on June 15, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)systems, make it ideal for hydroelectric development. The Masson plant is situated approximately 90 km from Ottawa in the province of Quebec.Collection personnelle de M. Guillaume Charron4. Marker detail: La centrale de Masson et des cheminées d’équilibre vers le milieu des années 1930.The Masson power plant and the balancing chimneys around the mid-1930s.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2024
5. Dompter la rivière, créer des industries Marker
Looking south across Chemin de Montréal Ouest. The Masson power plant and balancing chimneys are visible in the background.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2024
6. Centrale Masson Power Plant
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 15, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
