THE HYDROLOGIC CYCLE

• Snowfall creates snowpack in the mountains.
• Rain and runoff from the snowpack fills rivers and streams.
• Electricity is generated at hydroelectric projects by using the force of water.
• Water passes through the turbines and returns to the river unpolluted and unchanged.
• The sun draws moisture from the ocean, forming clouds
• The cycle begins again

 

How Power Is Produced

The creation of hydroelectricity begins at the dam, where the power plant converts the force of water into electricity. . .

Water from a lake or river flows into a large pipe called a penstock located in the upstream side of the dam structure.

The water then flows into the turbines inside the powerhouse.

The turbine shaft is turned by the force of water pushing against the turbine blades.

Generators connected to the turbine's shaft rotate as the turbines move, producing electricity. The same amount of water that entered the hydroproject returns to the river unchanged.

Water not used for energy production is released over the spillway.

Transformers convert the electricity generated to higher voltages for transmission over powerlines.

Transmission lines carry the electricity to the substations and on to the distribution system where the voltage is reduced to levels for your use.

Hydropower takes an unpredictable resource - rainfall and snowpack and turns it into a reliable energy source.

Hydropower is a clean and renewable energy source.

Hydropower is the major source of the Northwest's low-cost electric energy supply.

Hydropower projects provide recreation, irrigation, flood control, transportation and fish and wildlife habitat.