Eklutna Power Plant Explained

Eklutna Power Plant
Nearest City:Anchorage, Alaska
Coordinates:61.4583°N -149.34°W
Builder:Jasper & Stacey Company
Added:June 20, 1980
Refnum:80000746
Designated Other1:Alaska Heritage Resources Survey
Designated Other1 Name:Alaska Heritage Resources Survey
Designated Other1 Color:
  1. A8EDEF
Designated Other1 Abbr:AHRS
Designated Other1 Date:October 10, 1976
Designated Other1 Number:ANC-118
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom

The Eklutna Power Plant, also referred to as Old Eklutna Power Plant, is a historic hydroelectric power plant on the Eklutna River in Anchorage, Alaska. Located about 5miles downstream of the more modern new Eklutna Power Plant, it was built in 1928–29 to provide electrical power to the growing city, and served as its primary power source until 1956. The facilities include two dams, a tunnel and penstock, and a powerhouse. The main dam, Eklutna Dam, located at the northwestern end of Eklutna Lake, was built in 1941 to replace a series of temporary structures built after an earthen dam failed before the plant began operation. The diversion dam, a concrete arch dam, is located 7miles downstream from the lake, and provides facilities for diverting water into the tunnel. The tunnel is 1900feet long, and is terminated in a penstock, a structure designed to raise the water pressure. The powerhouse is a concrete-and-steel structure completed in 1929.[1] The diversion dam removal was completed in 2018 to allow for the passage of salmon.

The power plant was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=80000746}} NRHP nomination for Eklutna Power Plant]. National Park Service. 2014-12-10.