Undeveloped Hydropower as a Potential Energy Source in Idaho

Energy demands and rising costs of fuels for steam power plants has made small scale hydro a viable energy source in much of the United States. Because streams had not been studied for small scale hydro development a survey was needed to determine the potential energy available in the streams of the State. Through this study a new technique was developed for finding flow duration information along reaches of natural streams that did not have streamflow records. In addition a method of estimating flow duration curves for regulated streams ,was developed. With these techniques a survey was made of the theoretical energy potential in the streams of the State of Idaho. This was first done on a reach by reach basis and then the hydrologic data generated for the reach analysis was used to estimate power potential at existing dams, all proposed power sites and certain power possiblities in irrigation systems. A summary of the results of the hydro survey for Idaho is included in this report. Subsequently the study was expanded with the help of neighboring state water centers to cover the entire Pacific Northwest region of the United States. A preliminary social, political and environmental feasibility analysis was also made to identify the reaches wherein favorable action toward implementation could be expected. Results of feasibility analysis and a ranking of most promising reaches is included in this report