Meetings planned on Susitna-hydro project

The Alaska Energy Authority has planned meetings Oct. 24-25 in Anchorage to discuss “Resource Agency Aquatic Resources Initial Issue and Study Identification” for the proposed Susitna dam. The meeting Oct. 24 is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m., Oct. 25 in the CIRI Building, 2525 C Street, HDR fourth floor conference room.

The Alaska Energy Authority has been authorized by the state of Alaska to develop the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project on the Susitna River to help meet the future electrical needs of Alaska’s Railbelt Region.

The proposed Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project would be located approximately halfway between Anchorage and Fairbanks on the upper Susitna River. The dam would be located within a steep-sided valley of the Susitna River at river Mile 184 above the mouth, approximately 15 miles upstream of the Devil’s Canyon rapids.

The 700-foot high Susitna-Watana dam would result in a 39-mile-long reservoir and up to 2 miles wide. Installed capacity of the power plant would be 600 MW, with an average annual generation of 2,600 GWhrs.

The powerhouse, dam, and related facilities would be linked by a transmission line connecting to the Railbelt Intertie, and road and/or railroad access from the Parks and/or Denali Highway corridors.

For more information, visit susitna-watanahydro.org.