History and Use of the Lower Reservoir

History and Use of the Lower Reservoir. . , Even before the American Revolution, settlers realized the value of the Schoharie Valley's rich farming land. With the development of the land came the need for power to run grain and lumber mills. The first use of water power in the valley dates back to the construction of a grist mill near Middleburgh in 1718., The construction for the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project began in 1969 and the plant began operation in 1973. Each of the reservoirs - one atop Brown Mountain (the upper reservoir), the other at its foot (the lower reservoir) - holds five billion gallons of water. When power is being generated, the water cascades down a concrete shaft that is five times taller than Niagara Falls. When water is being stored, usually at night or over the weekend, the process is reversed and water is pumped back up the shaft for storage., The system allows the Power Plant to literally "go with the flow"-to take advantage of the daily highs and lows in statewide electricity demand. In other words, power can be generated when it is needed, generally in the late afternoon or early evening, and store the water that fuels the power when it is not needed. The electricity Blenheim-Gilboa uses to return water to its upper reservoir is an inexpensive surplus power made available during low-demand periods. The cost of this power is cheaper than the electricity the project replaces the following day during peak-demand periods., [Photos:] , An old turbine removed from the power plant. This is located at the Visitor's Center., View of the power plant, lower reservoir, and Mine Kill pool complex.