Alaska Hydropower Dam Helps Sustain Salmon Habitat
A hydropower dam now providing the bulk of electric power for a fisheries community on Alaska's Prince William Sound also serves to sustain spawning habitat for the fish that have made Cordova famous with seafood aficionados.
The Power Creek hydroelectric plant, seven miles east of Cordova, with installed generating capacity of 6.0 megawatts, provides about 60 % of the power for Cordova from the Cordova Electric Cooperative.
Humpback Creek hydropower plant, located seven miles north of Cordova with a generating capacity of 1.25 megawatts, provides about 10-15 %. A diesel generation facility just outside of the city provides the remaining percentage.
The Power Creek dam is unique in that it is made of a giant inflatable rubber barrier that can be lowered to let the river return...