Trenton Fall Hydroelectric plant - Thursday Tour, October 18, 2012
The 28-megawatt Trenton Falls hydroelectric plant is located in the Town of Trenton, New York on the West Canada Creek.
The plant typically generates 133 million kilowatt hours annually, enough to power approximately 20,000 homes for one year. The plant began operations in 1901 and generated 4 megawatts of electricity. Much of the original equipment still exists in the powerhouse.
In 1918, three units were added bringing the plant’s generating capacity to the current 28 megawatts. The original four turbines are still located in the downstream section of the powerhouse but are no longer used for production of electricity.
Water conveyance consists of:
- 14-foot diameter concrete-lined tunnel that is 1,280 feet long
- 14-foot diameter steel pipeline that is 2,100 feet long
- 12-foot diameter steel pipeline that is 115 feet long
- 178-foot high surge tank
- Three, 7.5 foot diameter penstocks that carry water to the three active turbines
The 60-foot-high dam (set 6 feet into the bedrock of the creek) features a 300-foot long non-overflow structure, with one 10 feet by 15 feet vertical lift gate, and a 260 foot spillway equipped with wooden flashboards and an intake structure.
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