JUNE 22. 1982 PAGE 3
SPILYAY TYMOO
Following two years of construction, the Warm Springs hydroelectric project is finally complete. It began commercial production of electricity on June 17
Warm Springs’ hydroelectric project becomes reality
; by Donna Behrend
? After what seem like'long,
long years, the Warm Springs
H y d ro electric p ro je c t is?
com plete and p ro d u cin g
electricity.
Initial construction at the
site began mid-year 1980 with
tons Of earth being’moved to
make way for the power plant
and its numerous accessories.
„The site has changed in
appearance considerably since
then. Where there were once
boulders and trees, there is now
an electric transfer sub-station
and the core of the hydro plant,
the generator. The flow of
water over the dam’s spillways
has also changed. What was
once a gushing, powerful flow
of water, is now a mere trickle.
The water is now channeled
through the draft tube, using
the water’s power tq produce
power.
The plant began producing
electricity on June 11 and
began commercial production
June 17. the power is being
sold to Pacific Power and
Light.
Presently there are only
about 15 people working at the
site, doing last-minute cleart-iip
and maintenance. The plant
ty ill ;b e o p e r a t e d a n d
m ain tain ed by PG E ^vilL
computer from the Round
Butte Dam.
Though many may not view
the plant as anything too
special, the project is the only
one in the United States owned
by an Indian tribe. The $30
million project is one to be
admired and to be proud of.
Dedication ceremonies are
scheduled for July 16 at the site.
Over 2,000 people have been
invited to the ceremonies.
Watch Spilyay Tymoo for
further information concerning
the dedication.
Spilyay Tymoo
photos
hy
Donna Behrend
To get in the hole beneath the river is quite a tricky procedure.
Pumps, pumps arid more pumps are needed to keep the Hydro plant’s generator functioning After climbing down the 50 feet on rung ladder, one could get the
properly and safely. This cooling water pump is necessary to keep the water at the right temperature, feeling of being, in a bottomless pit.