BLUE MESAPOWERPLANT
Blue Mesa Dam and Powerplant
Blue Mesa Powerplant
Generators at Blue Mesa Powerplant |
| Plant Contact: | Donald K. Phillips, Manager, Curecanti Field Division |
| Telephone Numbers: | Phone: (970) 240-6300 Fax: (970) 240-6304 |
| E-Mail Address: | dphillips@uc.usbr.gov |
| Reclamation Region: | Upper Colorado |
| NERC Region: | Western Electricity Coordinating Council, Rocky Mountain Power Area |
| PMA Service Area: | Western Area Power Administration, Colorado River Storage Project Management Center |
| Project Authorization: | Congress authorized construction of four storage units of the Colorado River Storage Project and 11 participating projects on April 11, 1956, under Public Law 485, 84th Congress, 70 Stat. 105. Additional projects have been added since the original legislation was adopted. |
| Project Purposes: | The Colorado River Storage Project provides for the comprehensive development of the Upper Colorado River Basin. The project furnishes the long-term regulatory storage needed to permit States in the upper basin to meet their flow obligation at Lees Ferry, Arizona, as defined in the Colorado River Compact and still use their apportioned water. |
| Plant Facts: | The Blue Mesa Powerplant consists of two 43,200-kilowatt generators, driven by two 41,500-horsepower turbines. Each turbine is designed to operate at a maximum head of about 360 feet. One 16-foot-diameter penstock conveys water to the two turbines and also carries water for the outlet works. After branching from the main penstock, each of the penstock laterals is controlled by 156-inch butterfly valves. The main penstock is reduced by a wye branch to the outlet works control valves. |
| Plant Purpose: | Generation of hydroelectric power for the upper basin and adjacent areas. |
| Plant History: | Power generation was initiated in September 1967 at the Blue Mesa Powerplant. Generators were uprated from 30,000 kW to 43,200 kW in 1988. The Governors were replaced in 2001-2002. A new generator step up transformer was installed in 2002. |
| Present Activities: | Design for draft tube liner repairs. Upgrade emergency generator for black start capability. Remote main breaker racking devices are to be installed on both breakers in 2003-2004. Also, operations of the facility have been limited due to water shortage in 2002-2003. |
| Future Planned Activities: | Replace the runner. |
| Special Issues: | None |
| River: | Gunnison River |
| Plant Type: | Conventional |
| Powerhouse Type: | Above Ground |
| Turbine Type: | Francis |
| Original Nameplate Capacity: | 60,000 kW |
| Installed Capacity: | 86,400 kW |
| Year of Initial Operation: | 1967 |
| Age: | 38 years |
| Net Generation: (FY 2005) |
203,411,938 kWh |
| Rated Head: | 332 feet |
| Annual Plant Factor: (FY 2005) |
27.06 percent |
| Remotely Operated: | Yes |
| Production Mode: | Peaking |
Click here for graphs and charts of Blue Mesa Powerplant performance.
Click here for information on Blue Mesa Dam.
Click here for information on the Colorado River Storage Project.
Revised December 28, 2005 Hydropower Site Map Help