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Hydropower

USACE Hydropower

As the largest operator of hydropower plants in the United States, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plays a vital role in providing clean, renewable energy to millions of Americans. With 75 plants generating nearly a third of the nation's hydropower, USACE produces enough electricity to power approximately ten million households annually. This significant contribution to the nation's energy grid helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lowers energy costs, and supports a healthier environment. USACE is committed to modernizing its hydropower infrastructure to ensure continued efficiency and reliability for decades to come.

 

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Portland District: Powering the Pacific Northwest

image of four turbines

The Portland District plays a crucial role in a region renowned for its hydropower: The Pacific Northwest, which produces a remarkable 63 percent of the United States' hydropower. Within this powerhouse region, the Portland District operates and maintains 13 multipurpose hydropower facilities. These facilities not only provide safe, reliable, and efficient power generation but also support vital public missions like navigation, recreation, fish passage, irrigation, and flood mitigation.

Home to the  Hydroelectric Design Center, a National Center of Expertise, the Portland District boasts a team of experts dedicated to modernizing these facilities and ensuring their safe operation.

One shining example is Bonneville Lock & Dam, one of three hydroelectric power plants operated by the Portland District along the Columbia River. This powerhouse generates enough electricity to power a city the size of Portland, Oregon – approximately 900,000 homes.

To learn more about hydropower production across the Portland District, please visit each specific project listed below. 

Mid-Columbia River hydropower

Bonneville Lock & Dam
The Dalles Lock & Dam
John Day Lock & Dam

Rogue River Basin hydropower

Jess Dam & Lost Creek Reservoir

Willamette River Basin Hydropower

Big Cliff Dam                                  Foster Dam
Cougar Dam                                   Green Peter Dam
Detroit Dam                                   Hills Creek Dam
Dexter Dam                                   Lookout Point Dam

 

Why hydropower?

Hydropower has several advantages over alternative fuels:

Renewable The earth provides a continual supply of water from rainfall and snowmelt.

Efficient Hydropower converts about 90 percent of falling water's energy into electricity.

Clean Hydropower plants don't emit waste heat and gases.

Reliable Hydropower machinery is relatively simple, making it reliable and durable.

Flexible Units can start quickly and adjust rapidly to changes in electricity demand.

 

Hydropower Owner/Operators

The United States has harnessed the power of hydropower for electricity generation since the 1880s.  Following the Bureau of Reclamation's entry into the field in 1902, Congress entrusted USACE with a crucial role: building hydropower facilities across the nation. This pivotal decision laid the groundwork for today's diverse hydropower landscape, where ownership and operation are shared among federal entities like USACE, public power entities, and private producers.

USACE has 75 power projects  with a combined total 375 hydropower-generating units, making USACE an absolute POWERHOUSE with the most hydropower generation nationwide. 

pie chart depicting the top 10 hydropower owner/operators in the US

*For more great data on hydropower in the U.S. check out the National Hydropower Association. 

Types of power used in the U.S.

The U.S. relies on a mix of energy sources to generate electricity. Due to abundant coal reserves and the development of power plants, fossil fuels remain the main source of electricity generation, accounting for a substantial 62% of the total capacity. However, hydropower has become a significant source of renewable energy in the U.S., due to historical investments in large hydroelectric dams. Hydropower is a clean energy source, emitting no greenhouse gases during operation. It also provides water storage and flood control benefits. USACE is proud to have a vital role in delivering energy solutions across the nation. 

 

A chart showing the sources of power for electricity production in the United States.