Hydroelectric Plants in Arizona & New Mexico

Abiquiu Location: NM Operator: Los Alamos Dept of Public Utilities Configuration: 2 X 6.75 MW, 1 X 3 MW Francis Operation: 1990-2011 T/G supplier: Harbin, Andritz, Indar EPC: Tudor, AECOM Quick facts: Abiquiu Dam was built in 1963 and impounds a 5,200ac reservoir in northern New Mexico. The earthfill dam is 1,800ft long and 104m tall. It was raised in 1986 and the hydroelectric facilities completed 4yrs later. In 2006, the FERC license was amended to allow the addition of a 3-MW low-flow unit. Construction began in Nov 2009 and the new unit was was commissioned in Apr 2011. Photograph courtesy of AECOM Posted 7 Aug 2010	Arizona Falls Rebuild Location: AZ Operator: Salt River Project Configuration: 1 X 750 kW Operation: 2003 T/G supplier: Bouvier, Leroy Somer Quick facts: Arizona Falls was the site of the first hydroelectric plant in Phoenix, completed in 1902. The plant was rebuilt by SRP from 1911-1913 and operated until 1950.  The new plant includes the Phoenix Art Commission's "WaterWorks at Arizona Falls" project, designed by Boston artists Lajos Heder and Mags Harries. Photograph courtesy of Salt River Project Posted 25 Mar 2005	Childs Location: AZ Operator: Arizona Public Service Configuration: 3 X 1.8 MW Operation: 1918 (ret 2005) T/G supplier: ?? Quick facts: In 1976, the Childs-Irving hydro complex was named the 11th ASME National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. The project was cited for innovations in design and construction including steel transmission towers, forged penstocks, and the use of mule teams to move components to the remote sites on Fossil Creek in the Mogollon Rim country. The projects were initiated to support regional mining activities. In 1991, APS filed FERC relicensing applications for the Childs-Irving complex, but, after lengthy discussions with other stakeholders, APS announced in 1999 that it had decided to decommission the Childs-Irving plant and restore full flow at Fossil Creek. In Jul 2010, APS completed the 5yr, $11mn decommissioning project. Photograph courtesy of Arizona Public Service Co Posted 7 Aug 2010
Elephant Butte Location: NM Operator: US Bureau of Reclamation Configuration: 3 X 9 MW Francis Operation: 1940 T/G supplier: AC Quick facts: This is the second largest hydroelectric plant in New Mexico. Congress authorized the construction of Elephant Butte Dam in Feb 1905 and in May 1907, $1mn of nonreimbursable funds were appropriated as the State Department's share for allocation of 60,000 ac-ft of water annually to Mexico by treaty. Additional project works include Caballo Dam and the Elephant Butte power plant. Photograph courtesy of USBR Posted 28 Dec 2004	Davis Dam Location: AZ Operator: US Bureau of Reclamation Configuration: 5 X 51 MW Francis Operation: 1950-1951 T/G supplier: BLD, GE Quick facts: Davis Dam is in Pyramid Canyon and was authorized in April 1941, but construction was halted after the War Production Board revoked priority ratings needed to obtain the necessary materials for construction. Work resumed in 1946, and project was completed in 1953. The site was named in honor of Arthur Powell Davis, Director of Reclamation from 1914 to 1932. Photograph courtesy of USBR Posted 28 Dec 2004	Glen Canyon Location: AZ Operator: US Bureau of Reclamation Configuration: 8 X 162 MW Francis Operation: 1964-1966 T/G supplier: BLD, GE EPC: Merritt-Chapman, Scott Corp Quick facts: At 710ft, Glen Canyon Dam is the second highest concrete-arch dam in the USA. The total cost was about $314mn. Construction was authorized in 1956 and first concrete was in 1960. Photograph by Kenneth Zimmerman Posted 31 Jan 2006
	Irving Location: AZ Operator: Arizona Public Service Configuration: 1 X 1.6 MW Operation: 1916 (ret 2005) T/G supplier: ?? Quick facts: The Irving Development includes a diversion dam in Fossil Creek, a 3½mn conduit, a surge tank,  a penstock, a powerhouse with a 2,100hp turbine, a tailrace discharging into the forebay of the Childs Flume, a step-up substation and a 6.6mi, 69kV transmission line. Photograph courtesy of Arizona Public Service Co Posted 7 Aug 2010

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