An element of USBR’s Lower Colorado River Investigations Program is a Power Evaluations Study, which investigates opportunities to enhance power-generating capabilities within the Lower Colorado Region. USBR is to conduct a power evaluation assessment for one of its water delivery customers, the Bard Water District (District).
The District serves the Imperial County, CA, agricultural ground across on the west side of the Colorado River. The water is used to irrigate about 15,000 acres of farmland. Small hydro power plants have been installed on many “drops” on irrigation water delivery systems over the last 30 years, and the District requires a preliminary assessment of the feasibility of constructing a low-head hydroelectric power plant at the Reservation Main Canal turnout from the All-American Canal.
Discharge for the canal averages approximately 100ft3/sec but fluctuates throughout the year due to irrigation demand. Elevation drop between the All-American Canal and the Reservation Main Canal is approximately 20ft.
The study will include an economic analysis that addresses construction costs, operating costs, estimated repayment period, estimated break-even point, infrastructure costs, and any other pertinent economic information.
