Koma Kulshan Project facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Koma Kulshan Hydroelectric Project |
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Image of project on Mount Baker as seen from space: red dot is powerhouse, green dot is dam(s). Bellingham on the upper left side of frame, Lake Shannon on lower right.
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 Location of Koma Kulshan Hydroelectric Project in Washington
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| Official name | Koma Kulshan Project |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Mount Baker National Forest in Whatcom County, Washington |
| Coordinates | 48°40′49″N 121°43′24″W / 48.6802°N 121.7233°W |
| Purpose | Hydroelectricity |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1989 |
| Opening date | October 1990 |
| Owner(s) | Covanta Energy and Atlantic Power |
| Operator(s) | Puget Sound Energy |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Sulphur Creek, Rocky Creek |
| Height | Rocky Creek Dam: 32 feet (9.8 m) Sulphur Creek Dam: 37 feet (11 m) |
| Length | Rocky Creek Dam: 18 feet (5.5 m) Sulphur Creek Dam: 15 feet (4.6 m) |
| Power station | |
| Name | Koma Kulshan powerhouse |
| Coordinates | 48°40′49″N 121°43′24″W / 48.6802°N 121.7233°W |
| Operator(s) | Puget Sound Energy |
| Commission date | 1990 |
| Type | Run-of-the-river |
| Hydraulic head | c. 1,600 ft (490 m) |
| Turbines | 1 x Sulzer Escher Wyss Pelton wheel |
| Installed capacity | 13.3 MW @ maximum flow 120 cu ft/s (3.4 m3/s) |
| Capacity factor | 38.6% (2009-2010) |
| Annual generation | 45,000,000 kWh (10/1/2009–9/30/2010) |
The Koma Kulshan Project is a 13.3 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation facility on the slopes of Mount Baker, a stratovolcano in Washington state's North Cascades. The project commenced commercial operation in October 1990, and is owned by a Covanta Energy–Atlantic Power joint venture. It supplies Puget Sound Energy via a Power Supply Agreement (PSA) contract. Its single turbine is a Pelton wheel supplied by Sulzer Escher Wyss.
Located in the Mount Baker National Forest, it is one of six Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)-licensed small hydro installations on Federal Government land in Washington state.
Koma Kulshan is the name of Mount Baker in the Lummi dialect.
Dams
Intakes are located at diversion dams on the Rocky Creek and Sulphur Creek tributaries of Lake Shannon. A 42–45-inch (1,100–1,100 mm) diameter, 19,250-foot (5,870 m) long penstock carries water from a bifurcation (48°41′29″N 121°47′31″W / 48.6914°N 121.7919°W, 2,750 feet (840 m) a.s.l.) to the powerhouse. Water is discharged from the powerhouse through a short run on Sandy Creek to Baker Lake. Up to 120 cubic feet per second (3.4 m3/s) is diverted to the powerhouse. Rocky Creek Dam (48°41′06″N 121°48′23″W / 48.6849°N 121.8065°W) is 18 feet (5.5 m) high, 32 feet (9.8 m) long at 2,770 feet (840 m) a.s.l.
Sulphur Creek Dam (48°41′34″N 121°47′34″W / 48.6928°N 121.7928°W) is 15 feet (4.6 m) high, 37 feet (11 m) long at 2,755 feet (840 m) a.s.l.
Diversion of the creek affected the appearance of Upper and Middle Sulphur Creek Falls.
Peak generation
- Further information: Washington (state)#Climate
Power generation peaks in May through July coinciding with snowmelt, and has a smaller peak in November coinciding with the wet season.
— area topographic map
