Stave Falls Dynamite Shed — Mission, BC
Posted by: 
Dunbar Loop
N 49° 13.575 W 122° 21.394
10U E 546849 N 5452806
Stave Falls Dam generated hydro-electricity for Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and even Bellingham, Washington. Built between 1909 and 1912 this dam required the use of dynamite to improve the rockbed for building the dam.
Waymark Code: WMNYFW
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 05/24/2015
Views: 4
An unique structure that remains from the building of the Stave Falls Dam is the reinforced concrete dynamite shed.
The concept of hydro-electricity being generated goes back to the 1890s as Vancouver, New Westminster, and other Lower Mainland communities began to grow. Stave Falls was thought to be a prime location due to the 24 metre / 79 foot of the waterfall that no longer exists.
Different companies began exploring the opportunities over the following fifteen to twenty years. In 1909 assets were taken over by the Western Canada Power Company. Construction began on the dam in the same year. Of course the project needed a safe place to store dynamite that was used to remove rock and soil to make the dam site more efficient for building.
It is an unusual building that reinforced concrete was used. Most dynamite shed tend to be wooden buildings. And there is some debate as to how much safer concrete would be over wood should the dynamite stores explode. Nevertheless, the ancillary structure remains as a reminder of the building of this dam.