Blackstone Falls Hydroelectric Project - Central Falls, RI - Hydroelectric Power Stations on Waymarking.com

Blackstone Hydro Associates owns and operates the Blackstone Falls Hydroelectric Project at Valley Falls Dam in Central Falls and Cumberland, Rhode Island. The project, which is FERC Project No. 3063, has operated since 1985 and was licensed in 1981. The Valley Falls Dam is located adjacent to the Broad Street Bridge on the border of Central Falls and Cumberland, Rhode Island. The Blackstone Falls Hydroelectric Project consists of: (1) a 200-ft long curved granite masonry structure about 10 ft in height, (2) a wooden gate house containing 5 timber gates, each 7 ft 10 in. wide by 9 ft 3 in. high, (3) a 300-ft long open channel head race varying from 26-60 ft wide, (4) concrete intake structure with a trash rack and two hydraulic turbines, and (5) a 1200-ft long by 25-ft wide tailrace.

The dam is located just downstream of the bridge on Broad St. that connects Central Falls and Cumberland. The dam, which was originally built in 1853, is an overflow spillway with the crest at El. 49.3 ft (NGVD 1929). Valley Falls Dam is 445 sq. miles. The dam is approximately 10 ft high and the impoundment has a surface area of 60 acres. The gate house is located at the river bank immediately upstream of the dam.

The gate house is a masonry arch structure with 5 gate openings. The timber gates are constructed in two segments with each segment operated by a rack and pinion drive system. Both gate sections are about 4 ft 9 in. high. The intake canal extends about 300 ft downstream from the gate house. The invert of the canal is almost flat at El. 39.0 ft from the dam to the end of the canal. The powerhouse intake structure is located about 150 ft downstream of the gatehouse. Trash racks sloped at 1H:1V are installed at the intake opening. The trash racks have a 3 inches clear opening and extend from the canal bottom at El. 39.0 ft to the operating deck at El. 50.8 ft.

Source: (visit link)

Operational: yes Type of power station: Conventional (dams) Type of turbine: Other/Unknown Operator: Blackstone Hydro Associates Date built: 01/01/1853 Visitor center: Not Listed Generation capacity: Not listed

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