Overview
Beaver Falls is a 5.4 MW hydroelectric power plant in Alaska, USA, operated by Ketchikan Public Utilities. It supplies renewable energy to the local grid.
Beaver Falls is a hydroelectric power plant located in Alaska, United States, with a capacity of 5.4 MW. The facility is owned by Ketchikan Public Utilities and is currently operational, contributing to the region's renewable energy portfolio. As a small-scale hydroelectric plant, Beaver Falls utilizes the natural flow of water to generate electricity without direct fuel combustion. In the United States, hydroelectric facilities are subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing and environmental regulations under the Clean Water Act. The plant's technology is typical for run-of-river or small impoundment projects common in Alaska's mountainous terrain. The plant plays a key role in providing clean energy to the Ketchikan area, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Its modest capacity serves local community needs while minimizing environmental footprint through low emissions and sustainable water use.
Environmental context
Hydroelectric power generation has a low carbon footprint compared to fossil fuel plants, but can affect aquatic ecosystems through altered water flow and fish passage. Beaver Falls operates in a forested region of Alaska, where seasonal hydrology influences power output. The facility's small scale likely reduces ecological disruption, though local fish populations may be impacted by changes in stream flow.
Frequently asked questions
Beaver Falls is located in Alaska, United States, near Ketchikan. The plant's coordinates are approximately 55.38° N, 131.47° W.
Beaver Falls has a generating capacity of 5.4 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale hydroelectric facility.
Beaver Falls is owned by Ketchikan Public Utilities, a municipal utility serving the Ketchikan area.
Hydroelectric plants in the USA must comply with FERC licensing requirements and the Clean Water Act, including measures for fish passage and water quality.
Hydroelectric power is renewable with low emissions, but can alter aquatic habitats, affect fish migration, and change downstream flow patterns.