ALCOVA POWERPLANT
Alcova Dam and Powerplant
| Contact: | Susan Kelly |
| Telephone Numbers: | Office Phone: (307) 261-5605 Fax: (307) 261-5683 |
| E-Mail Address: | skelly@gp.usbr.gov |
| Reclamation Region: | Great Plains |
| NERC Region: | Western Electricity Coordinating Council, Rocky Mountain Power Area |
| PMA Service Area: | Western Area Power Administration, Rocky Mountain Region |
| Project Authorization: | The President approved the Kendrick Project on August 30, 1935. The Alcova Powerplant was authorized for construction on August 22, 1950, under the provisions of section 9(a) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939. Originally known as Casper-Alcova, the project was renamed Kendrick in 1937. |
| Project Purposes: | The Kendrick Project conserves the waters of the North Platte River for irrigation and electric power generation. The project is a multiple-purpose development with storage at Seminoe Reservoir and diversion at Alcova Dam to project lands. Operation of the reservoirs and powerplants is integrated with other river basin developments. |
| Plant Purpose: | Water from Alcova Dam is released for other irrigation rights downstream through the Alcova Powerplant or over a controlled spillway. |
| Plant Facts: | The plant uses the 165-foot drop from the reservoir to the river for power generation. It consists of two units, each a 20,700-kilowatt vertical-shaft generator driven by a 26,500-horsepower turbine. The reservoir has a total capacity of 184,208 acre-feet, of which only the top 30,606 acre-feet is active capacity available for irrigation. |
| Plant History: | Alcova Powerplant was authorized and built after Alcova Dam was completed in 1938. Construction of Alcova Powerplant was completed in 1955. |
| Present Activities: | A contract for replacement of the CO 2 fire suppression system for the two generating units was awarded in FY-2004; however, the contract was terminated in FY-2005 and will be re-issued in FY-2006. |
| Future Planned Activities: | Materials will be purchased in FY-2006 for replacement of the wicket gate greasing system for installation by Reclamation forces |
| Special Issues: | None. |
| River: | North Platte River |
| Plant Type: | Conventional |
| Powerhouse Type: | Above Ground |
| Turbine Type: | Francis |
| Original Nameplate Capacity: | 36,000 kW |
| Installed Capacity: | 41,400 kW |
| Year of Initial Operation: | 1955 |
| Age: | 50 years |
| Net Generation: (FY 2005) |
88,848,700 kWh |
| Rated Head: | 165 feet |
| Plant Factor: (FY 2005) |
24.89 percent |
| Remotely Operated: | Yes |
| Production Mode: | Peaking |
Click here for graphs and charts of Alcova Powerplant performance.
Click here for information on the Alcova Dam.
Click here for information on the Kendrick Project.
Revised December 30, 2005 Hydropower Site Map Help