Davis Hydro, LLC
A Davis Collaborative Company

Davis Hydro Active Hydro Projects

Small Hydro & The Environment

Davis Hydro believes that we have a limited sources of energy for human use and that small hydro can be one of the most benign available and should be preferentially developed over carbon based energy sources. 

Hydropower development will change the fish habitat – usually changing species that do well in the water courses.  In many cases, this change is significant.  The value judgment as to whether the new species are preferred to those displaced by the hydro is not so obvious a call because the judgment has to be made in the shadow of species preservation, genetic diversity, local ecology, impacts of substituted energy sources, and the economics reflecting human values.

Davis Hydro, undertakes development of environmentally benign micro-hydro projects under the leadership of Mr. Ely.  He is currently developing hydro and fish research projects in Maryland and California with Ms. Sackheim and  Mr. Boeri.

Current Status of Davis Hydro Projects

Online

1. Nantanna: A partnership that is actively producing project on the Dog River in Northfield, Vermont. The site is active and currently producing about 1.1 GWH/year. The Dog River is arguably the best native trout stream in Vermont and we work to keep it that way.
   
2. Sandy Hollow  Philadelphia New York - The site is actively producing about 2.2 GWH per year since 1992. Sandy hollow is a three unit 0.75 MW station on the Indian River. It is operated Run-of-River and is currently selling into the spot market.
   
3. Avery - Laconia New Hampshire- The site is characterized by the very tight level control required.  Site is in the process of being upgraded with new controls, powerhouse renovation, and dam reworking.   Expected production is about 1.8 GWH per year.
   
4. Brighton - Montgomery County Maryland - The site is a Water Supply Reservoir for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. The sight has two 178 KW turbines, currently limited to about 158 kW.  The site was acquired in 2009, and is expected to produce about 1.4 GWH per year.

Developing Projects                 

1. Boca - Original Preliminary Permit  - Currently we are obtaining engineering data and starting preliminary designs for discussion.

The following projects are being undertaken by KC Hydro LLC, which is an LLC owned primarily by Richard Ely and Kelly Sackheim.   We are engaged in the following projects. (In rough level of activity!)

1. Kilarc-Cow Creek   - We are re-engineering this site to preventing demolition by PG&E.  PG&E is decommissioning a hydro facility.  Davis Hydro is working with the community to recommission it as a fishery enhancement project that generates both green power and enhances the fish habitat in the Cow Creek area. Expected additional benefit will be a fist class field research facility that will target steelhead. 

The following Projects are under discussion with FERC, Native Americans, and in some cases litigation.  For updated information see  WWW.kchydro.info.  This site addresses projects being explored in the Eastern Sierra.

1. Morgan Creek - Preliminary Permit - Currently being discussed with agencies.  This project is awaiting a preliminary permit.
   
2. Conway Ranch - Preliminary Permit  - Discussing with Agencies on best way to do this project. Currently, 2009, the economics of this project look unsustainable without irrigation and water conservation financial assistance.
   
3. Tinemaha Reservoir - Preliminary Permit - The project is in early stages of development.  At this moment - LADWP has thwarted the project by filing a competing permit they will use to inhibit any development.

Engineered but delayed

1. Pit 4 Diversion Dam Retrofit - PG&E currently reviewing prior to licensing.  Pit 4 is targeted at about 1 MW river release project on a PG&E dam on the Pit River in Northern California, and is currently under environmental review and preliminary design. Main environmental issues focus on water temperature effects and fish concerns. This project is on-hold pending PG&E approval.
   
2. Rock Creek  - PG&E is reviewing.  This is a project on an existing PG&E diversion dam on the North Fork of the Feather River in Plumas County California. Its targeted production is only 400 to 500 KW due to transmission limitations. This project is moving too slowly working with PG&E and expected to be submitting a License application to the FERC in 2007.
   
3. Lewiston - Bureau of Reclamation is inhibiting this project due to agreements with Trinity County.

Other projects are under discussion with PG&E.  These include retrofitting dams and canals for power.  There will be presented here as they develop.