Small Hydroelectricity

Tri-State is involved in various small-scale renewable hydropower projects. Small hydroelectric projects produce from one to 30 megawatts of power generation. Usually, small hydropower facilities are developed at existing dams and constructed in conjunction with flood control and irrigation projects.

Hydropower accounts for a substantial portion of Tri-State's generation portfolio; however, nearly all of that power is obtained through large-scale dam projects, such as Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona and Flaming Gorge Dam in Wyoming. Large-scale hydropower projects are not generally accepted as renewable or “green” energy.  Unfortunately, as with any power generation project, the opportunity to develop or build more hydropower (small and large) sites is limited to the availability of potential sites.

Small Hydro Projects

Coal Creek Hydro

Location: Near Ridgway, Colo.

Operator: Scott MacTiernan

Capacity/Output: 159 kilowatts (maximum); 35,463 kilowatt-hours (average)

Crooke Falls Hydro 

Location: near Lake City, Colo.

Operator: Daniel L. Plies

Capacity/Output: 459 kilowatts (maximum); 278,045 kilowatt-hours (average)

Jackson Gulch Hydro

Location: near Mancos, Colo.

Operator: Mancos Water Conservancy District

Capacity/Output: 254 kilowatts (maximum); 152,630 kilowatt-hours (average)

Lemon Dam Hydro

Location: near Bayfield, Colo.

Operator: Florida Water Conservancy District

Capacity/Output: 76 kilowatts (maximum); 29,600 kilowatt-hours (average)

Ouray Hydro

Location: Ouray, Colo.

Operator: Eric Jacobson

Capacity/Output: 900 kilowatts (maximum); 400,000 kilowatt-hours (average)

Vallecito Hydro

Location: near Bayfield, Colo.

Operator: Ptarmigan Resources and Energy

Capacity/Output: 5,224 kilowatts (maximum); 19,310,000 kilowatt-hours (average)

Williams Fork Hydro

Location: near Kremmling, Colo.

Operator: Denver Water Board

Capacity/Output: 3,600 kilowatts (maximum); 10,000,000 kilowatt-hours (average)