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Buffalo Bill Power Plant
When the dam modification project was
completed in 1993, it included an additional 25.5 megawatts of
power-generating capacity. This was accomplished by the construction
of the new 18-megawatt Buffalo Bill Dam Power Plant in the river canyon
about one mile below the dam, refurbishing the Shoshone Power Plant, which
is visible in the canyon below the dam, and power generating capacity in
the Spirit Mountain Energy Dissipation Structure on the hillside above the
Buffalo Bill Power Plant.
The Shoshone Canyon Conduit is a tunnel
which carries water under pressure from the reservoir down the canyon.
Some of the water in the conduit flows into the Buffalo Bill Power Plant.
Before the remaining water continues through the conduit to the Heart
Mountain Power Plant and Heart Mountain canal, it must pass through the
energy dissipation structure which reduces water pressure. A 4.5 megawatt
generator was added in the energy dissipation structure to generate
additional power.
The project provides about 100 million
kilowatt hours of power per year. It is marketed by the Western Area Power
Administration in eastern Wyoming, eastern Colorado, western Kansas and
Nebraska. |
