Decommissioning of Hydroelectric Project, Aug. 8

FERC formally acknowledges completion of PacifiCorp decommissioning of the Condit Hydroelectric Project
PORTLAND, Ore (August 7, 2019) —The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has formally acknowledged the completion of all requirements for PacifiCorp’s physical decommissioning and removal of the Condit Dam. Once the only man-made impoundment between Mt. Adams and the Columbia River, the 125-foot dam was one of the largest dams ever removed in the United States.  The 13.7-megawatt Condit Project, located on the White Salmon River in Skamania and Klickitat counties, Washington, was completed in 1913 and produced hydroelectricity for the paper industry in Washington and the growing communities in and near Portland, Ore. After nearly a century of serving customers, PacifiCorp began in late August 2011 to physically remove the dam, fulfilling a multi-party settlement agreement signed in 1999. Steps involved in decommissioning the Condit project included constructing new bridge piers for the Northwestern Lake Road bridge to provide public access across the White Salmon River, relocation of a City of White Salmon waterline and removing the dam and remaining facilities. The historic powerhouse remains intact.  The surrender of the FERC license by PacifiCorp marks the restoration of approximately 33 miles of historic spawning and rearing area for steelhead and 14 miles for salmon in the White Salmon River basin.
Video of the dramatic removal of the Condit Dam and the ensuing reclamation can be seen here: https://www.pacificorp.com/energy/hydro/condit.html