Local Hydro Projects

EPUD is currently moving forward with two local hydro power projects located at the Dorena and Fall Creek Reservoirs. EPUD Customer-Owners and the EPUD Board of Directors want to be leaders in conservation and renewable energy procurement. By securing these resources now, we not only meet these goals but help meet our own power needs over the long-term. EPUD just recently recieved licensing to move forward with the Dorena project and is currently in the testing phase of the Fall creek project. Read below for updates on the status of both projects.

EPUD is undergoing both projects in a partnership with Symbiotics LLC. Symbiotics was founded in 2001 as a joint venture between Ecosystems Research Institute and Northwest Power Services with the intent to develop new hydroelectric projects that promoted sound environmental practices. Symbiotics principals have over 30 years of experience in the selection, permitting, construction, and operation of renewable and traditional energy projects and currently have 30 active projects in different regions of the United States. Symbiotics has the requisite technical, regulatory, and financial expertise to manage all phases in the life of a successful project, from licensing to construction to long term operation.

Dorena Updates:

May 2009 Update:

Having received it’s FERC license last year (a 7 year process), Dorena is now in the design phase.  We (Dorena Hydro, LLC) selected a design firm from Salt Lake City out of four companies and they have been working diligently to get us a 30% submittal review .  This is required as part of the license.

We are also in the middle of one of the most important decisions the project will face, which is the selection of the turbine(s).  We have 4 bids of various configurations using either one or two turbines and are reviewing them very carefully.

November 2008 Update:

Emerald People’s Utility District along with their partner Symbiotics, LLC, formed Dorena Hydro LLC today after receiving final licensing from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  Design and construction of the Dorena Lake Dam Hydroelectric Project will begin immediately and commercial operations are set to commence in approximately 18 months. The project will generate an estimated 14,500 megawatt-hours per year, enough to power approximately 1,000 homes.

We are excited about this project because it’s local, renewable, and will retain all the benefits in our local community. As the region has grown, Bonneville’s capacity has reached its limit. Because of this, all utilities will be looking for additional power supply from other sources. The sooner we can develop these projects the better we’ll be prepared for our Customer-Owners power needs.

State law now requires all utility companies to procure 5 percent of their load from renewable resources by the year 2025.  With this project and several others, EPUD hopes to reach 15-20 percent of our load from renewable resources by the year 2011.

For more details on the studies and findings that led up to licensing of this project, read FERC's License document.

Fall Creek Updates:

NOTICE- Fall Creek Hydro Project Public Hearing May 29, 7 p.m.:

Join Us! EPUD and partner Symbiotics will host a public hearing at EPUD on Friday, May 29, at 7 p.m. to discuss the results of the first year of studies on the Fall Creek hydro project. Symbiotics will discuss how finding to date are shaping the project as a whole. Public comment is encouraged.

May 2009 Update:

The pursuit of the license is proceeding on schedule and most of the work involves completing and reporting the results from the requested studies from the various agencies that are involved (Army Corps., Oregon Fish and Wildlife, National Marine and Fisheries Service, Willamette Watershed Council, etc.).

This is one of the first projects that FERC has used the new Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) on in order to manage the licensing and to determine if a license should be granted.  It is a 3- 5 year process depending on the requested studies.  The next required meeting will be on May 29th, and will be held here at Emerald in our Board Room.  This will primarily be a presentation on the results of the studies requested last year.  We will also be hosting a public meeting that same evening for any interested public to learn more about both of our projects and the benefits to the community we feel will result when we complete them.

So far there have been some minor design changes as it has been discovered the existing outlets (the “fish horns” shown on the right above) are not worth using.  The interior piping originally installed is not lined smooth and injures the baby fish before they get to the stream below.  We will be putting in new ones with an interior liner that is designed specifically for this purpose which will not harm fish.  We are hoping for a significant increase in the survival rate than is currently occurring in the dam. 

November 2008 Update:

EPUD partner Symbiotics is now in the FERC study phase of this project. Symbiotics will be conducting intensive tests in and around the dam to identify any possible impact, negative or positive, the project may have on the surroundings.

Here are a few photos of testing taking place currently on site:

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