| Koma Kulshan Hydroelectric Project | |
|---|---|
Image of project on Mount Baker as seen from space: red dot is powerhouse, green dot is dam(s). Bellingham on the upper left side of frame, Lake Shannon on lower right.
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  Location of Koma Kulshan Hydroelectric Project in Washington (state) | |
| Official name | Koma Kulshan Project |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Mount Baker National ForestinWhatcom County, Washington |
| Coordinates | 48°40′49″N 121°43′24″W / 48.6802°N 121.7233°W / 48.6802; -121.7233 |
| Purpose | Hydroelectricity |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1989[1] |
| Opening date | October 1990 |
| Owner(s) | Covanta Energy and Atlantic Power |
| Operator(s) | Puget Sound Energy |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Sulphur Creek, Rocky Creek |
| Height | Rocky Creek Dam: 32 feet (9.8 m) Sulphur Creek Dam: 37 feet (11 m) |
| Length | Rocky Creek Dam: 18 feet (5.5 m) Sulphur Creek Dam: 15 feet (4.6 m) |
| Koma Kulshan powerhouse | |
| Coordinates | 48°40′49″N 121°43′24″W / 48.6802°N 121.7233°W / 48.6802; -121.7233 |
| Operator(s) | Puget Sound Energy |
| Commission date | 1990 |
| Type | Run-of-the-river |
| Hydraulic head | c. 1,600 ft (490 m) |
| Turbines | 1 x Sulzer Escher Wyss Pelton wheel |
| Installed capacity | 13.3 MW @ maximum flow 120 cu ft/s (3.4 m3/s) |
| Capacity factor | 38.6% (2009-2010)[2] |
| Annual generation | 45,000,000 kWh (10/1/2009–9/30/2010[2]) |
| Website www | |
The Koma Kulshan Project is a 13.3 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation facility on the slopes of Mount Baker, a stratovolcano in Washington state's North Cascades. The project commenced commercial operation in October 1990,[3][4][5] and is owned by a Covanta Energy–Atlantic Power joint venture. It supplies Puget Sound Energy via a Power Supply Agreement (PSA) contract.[3][6] Its single turbine is a Pelton wheel supplied by Sulzer Escher Wyss.[7]
Located in the Mount Baker National Forest, it is one of six Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)-licensed small hydro installations on Federal Government land in Washington state.[8][9]
Koma Kulshan is the name of Mount Baker in the Lummi dialect.[10]: 241
Intakes are located at diversion dams on the Rocky Creek and Sulphur Creek tributaries of Lake Shannon. A 42–45-inch (1,100–1,100 mm) diameter, 19,250-foot (5,870 m) long penstock carries water from a bifurcation (48°41′29″N 121°47′31″W / 48.6914°N 121.7919°W / 48.6914; -121.7919 (Penstock head), 2,750 feet (840 m) a.s.l.) to the powerhouse.[11] Water is discharged from the powerhouse through a short run on Sandy Creek to Baker Lake.[9][8][12][13] Up to 120 cubic feet per second (3.4 m3/s) is diverted to the powerhouse.[14][15]: 3–16
Rocky Creek Dam (48°41′06″N 121°48′23″W / 48.6849°N 121.8065°W / 48.6849; -121.8065 (Rocky Creek diversion dam)) is 18 feet (5.5 m) high, 32 feet (9.8 m) long at 2,770 feet (840 m) a.s.l.[11]
Sulphur Creek Dam (48°41′34″N 121°47′34″W / 48.6928°N 121.7928°W / 48.6928; -121.7928 (Sulphur Creek diversion dam)) is 15 feet (4.6 m) high, 37 feet (11 m) long at 2,755 feet (840 m) a.s.l.[11]
Diversion of the creek affected the appearance of Upper and Middle Sulphur Creek Falls.[16][17]
Power generation peaks in May through July coinciding with snowmelt, and has a smaller peak in November coinciding with the wet season.[2]
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