Amid record-breaking snowfall in the Sierra, a Northern California hydropower plant is once again up and running after being closed for five months due to severe drought.
The Hyatt Powerplant at Oroville Dam in Butte County was taken offline on Aug. 5 as the California Department of Water Resources grappled with historically low lake levels.
However, recent storms have revived the dam, boosting water levels and providing colder water to the reservoir.
Outflows and generation will initially remain low because of reduced agricultural demands and improved delta salinity conditions, water resource officials said. "DWR anticipates an average outflow of about 900 cubic feet per second which will generate approximately 30 megawatts of power," the department explained.
The access to hydro power has allowed the state to refocus its clean electricity goals previously put aside amid the drought.
"This is a significant milestone as California sees some relief from drought conditions," DWR Director Karla Nemeth said. "Providing clean hydropower to the state energy grid allows DWR to assist in meeting the state’s clean energy goals."
The department is currently working to conserve and store as much water as possible in the event that California faces another dry year.
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