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 special power plant that makes electricity using water. It's located on the side of Mount Baker in Washington state. Mount Baker is a large volcano in the North Cascades mountains.
This project started making power in October 1990. It is owned by two companies, Covanta Energy and Atlantic Power. The electricity it makes is sent to Puget Sound Energy to power homes and businesses. The plant uses a single special water wheel called a Pelton wheel to create power.
The Koma Kulshan Project is found within the Mount Baker National Forest. It is one of only six small hydroelectric plants on government land in Washington state. These plants are approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The name Koma Kulshan is what the Lummi dialect people call Mount Baker.
Contents
How the Project Works
The Koma Kulshan Project is a "run-of-the-river" power plant. This means it uses the natural flow of water from streams, rather than storing water in a very large dam. It takes water from two small streams, Rocky Creek and Sulphur Creek. These streams flow into Lake Shannon.
Water Diversion and Flow
Small dams on Rocky Creek and Sulphur Creek direct water into a large pipe. This pipe is about 42 to 45 inches wide and over 19,000 feet long! The pipe carries the water downhill to the powerhouse.
The powerhouse is where the electricity is made. After the water helps make power, it flows out through Sandy Creek into Baker Lake. The plant can use up to 120 cubic feet of water per second to make electricity.
Rocky Creek Dam
The dam on Rocky Creek is 18 feet high and 32 feet long. It helps guide the water into the long pipe that leads to the powerhouse.
Sulphur Creek Dam
The dam on Sulphur Creek is 15 feet high and 37 feet long. Like the Rocky Creek Dam, it helps divert water for power generation. Taking water from Sulphur Creek has changed how some waterfalls look there.
When Power is Made
The Koma Kulshan Project makes the most electricity during certain times of the year.
Peak Power Generation
Power production is highest from May to July. This is when the snow on Mount Baker melts, sending lots of water into the creeks. There's also a smaller peak in November. This happens during the wet season when there's more rain.
