SHOSHONE POWERPLANT
Shoshone Powerplant
| Contact: | Susan Kelly Chief, Operations and Maintenance Division |
| Telephone Numbers: | Phone: (307) 261-5605 |
| 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 Secretary of the Interior authorized the Shoshone Project on February 10, 1904, under authority of the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902. |
| Project Purposes: | Floodwaters of the Shoshone River are stored in Buffalo Bill Reservoir for later release for irrigation and power generation. Power is developed at the Shoshone, Heart Mountain, Buffalo Bill, and Spirit Mountain Powerplants. The system is interconnected with the West Division of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program. |
| Plant Purpose: | Power produced on the project is fed into a grid system which serves an area extending into three States. |
| Plant Facts: | The Shoshone Powerplant is near the base of Buffalo Bill Dam and has a capacity of 3,000 kilowatts. |
| Plant History: | Shoshone Powerplant began operation in 1922 and the third unit came on line in 1931. The original total installed capacity of the three units was 6,012 kilowatts. In 1980 the plant was shut down due to the deteriorated condition of the units. Units 1 and 2 remain in place in a decommissioned status. Unit 3 was removed and replaced with a new 3,000 kilowatt unit in 1991 |
| Present Activities: | A contract was completed in FY 2003 for repairs to the draft tube of the powerplant. |
| Future Planned Activities: | None |
| Special Issues: | None |
| River: | Shoshone River |
| Plant Type: | Conventional |
| Powerhouse Type: | Above Ground |
| Turbine Type: | Francis |
| Original Nameplate Capacity: | 6,012 kW |
| Installed Capacity: | 3,000 kW |
| Year of Initial Operation: | 1922 |
| Age: | 82 years |
| Net Generation: FY 2005) |
21,496,200 kWh |
| Rated Head: | 220 feet |
| Plant Factor: (FY 2005) |
83.14 percent |
| Remotely Operated: | Yes |
| Production Mode: | Base Load |
Click here for graphs and charts of Shoshone Powerplant performance.
Click here for information on the Buffalo Bill Dam.
Click here for information on the Shoshone Project.
Revised December 30, 2005 Hydropower Site Map Help