Overview
Lee Creek Water Treatment Facility is a 1.3 MW hydroelectric power plant in Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States. It is owned by the City of Fort Smith and is currently operational.
Lee Creek Water Treatment Facility is a hydroelectric power plant located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States. With a capacity of 1.3 MW, it is a small-scale facility within the hydroelectric sector, contributing to local renewable energy generation. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the United States, including the Clean Air Act and state-level environmental regulations. Hydroelectric plants like this one typically use run-of-river or impoundment technology to convert water flow into electricity, with minimal emissions compared to fossil fuel plants. As a municipal facility, Lee Creek Water Treatment Facility supports the local grid and community energy needs. Its small capacity suggests it may serve as a distributed energy resource, enhancing grid resilience and providing clean power to the Fort Smith area.
Environmental context
The plant's hydroelectric fuel source results in low CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions, making it environmentally favorable compared to fossil fuel plants. Its location near Lee Creek and proximity to populated areas require careful management of water flow and aquatic ecosystems to minimize ecological disruption. The small capacity limits its overall environmental footprint.
Frequently asked questions
Lee Creek Water Treatment Facility is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States, at coordinates 35.4845° N, -94.3929° W.
It is a hydroelectric power plant, generating electricity from water flow.
The facility has a capacity of 1.3 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale hydroelectric plant.
The plant is owned by the City of Fort Smith.
Hydroelectric plants in the US are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensing and by the Clean Water Act for water quality. State-level environmental agencies also oversee compliance.