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Small Hydros
Besides operating the state's largest hydroelectric projects, the
New York Power Authority also generates kilowatts (kw) from five
small hydro stations. We developed these projects in the 1980s to
reduce the state's dependence on electricity produced by burning
foreign oil. Our small hydro projects, located on rivers and
reservoirs across the state, do not affect the quality or quantity
of the water, which is also used for recreation, navigation and
drinking.
Here's a list of our small hydros:
Ashokan Project
The
Power Authority began operating its first small hydro project on
the Ashokan Reservoir, located in Ulster County near Kingston,
in November 1982. Owned by New York City, the reservoir provides
water that powers two turbine-generators to produce a total of
4,750 kw. After passing through the power project, this water
continues its trek downstate for public consumption.
Kensico Project
Drinking
water from the Ashokan Reservoir flows through 76 miles of
aqueducts to the city-owned Kensico Reservoir before continuing
to its final destination. The Power Authority began operating
its 3,000-kw hydro project at this Westchester County site in
July 1983. Three turbine generators were installed in a space
excavated in 1915 by city engineers anticipating future
electricity production.
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News:
June
5 , 2008 - Governor Paterson Takes Action to Preserve Hinckley Reservoir Water
Supply
(Governor's press release)
November 28, 2007 - Dates for Water Drawdowns
at Crescent and Vischer Ferry Dams for Removal of Flashboards and Fish
Bypass Systems
October 22, 2007 - Date Announced for Water Drawndown at Vischer Ferry Dam
October 19, 2007 -
Governor Eliot Spitzer Creates Working Group to Examine Use of Water
from Hinckley Reservoir (Governor's press release)
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Gregory B. Jarvis Plant
Named
in honor of the 41-year-old payload specialist from the Mohawk
Valley who was killed aboard the space shuttle Challenger in
1986, this 9,000-kw facility began operation in June of that
year. The power plant, containing two turbine-generators, is
part of state-owned Hinckley Reservoir, which straddles Oneida
and Herkimer counties and provides drinking water to the city of
Utica. It is located about 20 miles from Mohawk Central High
School, where Jarvis graduated in 1963.
Hinckley Reservoir Water Level Data
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Crescent
Plant
The
Crescent and Vischer Ferry plants, built in 1925
with two turbine-generators apiece, sit 10 miles apart on
the Mohawk River, part of the Erie section of the State
Barge Canal. In 1987, the Power Authority began expanding
both projects, adding two new turbines to each powerhouse
before rehabilitating the original units. Declared fully
online in 1993, the two plants can generate 9,948 kw each.
Vischer
Ferry
Plant
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