The generating station required nearly three years to construct at a cost of CDN $40 million and became operational in 1969.

[1] The Coteau Creek Hydroelectric Station has three 62 net MW vertical Francis turbine-generator units.

The turbines were supplied by English Electric[2][3] with generators made by the Canadian division of Westinghouse.

Each turbine draws water from an intake and control structure on Gardiner Dam, through an underground steel penstock.

[4] A nearby substation contains circuit breakers and other apparatus that connects the power station to the transmission grid.