TOWAOC POWERPLANT
Towaoc Canal and Powerplant
| Plant Contact: | Vern Harrell Western Colorado Area Office - Southern Division |
| Telephone Numbers: | Phone: (970) 565-0865 |
| E-Mail Address: | vharrell@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: | The Dolores Project was authorized by the Colorado River Basin Act of September 30, 1968 (Public Law 90-537), as a participating project under the Colorado River Storage Project Act of April 11, 1956 (Public Law 84-485). |
| Project Purposes: | The Dolores Project, located in the Dolores and San Juan River Basins in southwestern Colorado, develops water from the Dolores River for irrigation, municipal and industrial use, recreation, fish and wildlife, and production of hydroelectric power. It also provides flood control and aids economic redevelopment. Powerplants located on McPhee Dam and the Towaoc Canal generate an annual average of 36,578,000 kilowatt-hours, which enters the Colorado River Storage Project power transmission system. The Towaoc Powerplant operates from April to October on the irrigation water supply conveyed through the canal. |
| Plant Facts: | Towaoc Canal heads the Dolores Canal 1.1 miles below the outlet of the Dolores Tunnel and extends southward for 45.4 miles to the full service lands in the Towaoc area. The canal is earth lined for 32.8 miles and concrete lined for 7.5 miles. It has an initial capacity of 420 cubic feet per second and a terminal capacity of 135 cubic feet per second. A 78-inch-diameter, buried concrete pipe penstock heads at a project works on the Dolores Canal and extends southwest into Hartman Draw to the powerhouse. The powerhouse consists of one turbine connected to a 11.495-megawatt generator. |
| Plant Purpose: | Towaoc Powerplant provides energy to project facilities. |
| Plant History: | The powerplant is operated and maintained under a contract with the Dolores Water Conservancy District. The switchyard is maintained under a contract with Empire Electric Association Inc. |
| Present Activities: | Normal operations |
| Future Planned Activities: | None |
| Special Issues: | Shutdown in August 2002 through the rest of the water year due to the lack of water. |
| River Name: | Towaoc Canal |
| Plant Type: | Conventional |
| Powerhouse Type: | Above Ground |
| Turbine Type: | Pelton |
| Original Nameplate Capacity: | 11,495 kW |
| Installed Capacity: | 11,495 kW |
| Year of Initial Operation: | 1993 |
| Age: | 12years |
| Net Generation: (FY 2005) |
13,426,875 kWh |
| Rated Head: | 415 feet |
| Plant Factor: (FY 2005) |
13.59 percent (seasonal) |
| Remotely Operated: | Yes |
| Production Mode: | Base |
Click here for graphs and charts of Towaoc Powerplant performance.
Click here for information on the Dolores Project.
Revised December 29, 2005 Hydropower Site Map Help