Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station

Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station. Deep Creek Lake 100 Years. , Construction of the original hydroelectric power plant was completed in 1925 as part of the broader Youghiogheny Hydro-Electric Company project to build the dam and create Deep Creek Lake. Power plant operations commenced on May 26, 1925, delivering electricity to industrial customers in western Pennsylvania. The current dam and power plant owner/operator is Brookfield Renewable, US., The power plant is located along the banks of the Upper Youghiogheny River and houses twin turbines and generators as well as a now modernized and automated control facility. To drive the turbines, lake water is released thru an “intake tunnel” at the bottom of the dam. This released water flows roughly 7000 feet, with a vertical drop of 440 feet, to the turbines. After passing through the turbines, the released water enters the Upper Yough through a so-called “tailrace” pipe of about 450 feet in length. Utilizing the water's flow, the plant generates up to 20 megawatts of hydroelectric power., The power plant owner/operator also manages dam releases for purposes other than power generation, supporting recreational activities downstream on the Upper Yough while maintaining lake water levels between specified monthly minimums and maximums. This system supports both recreational whitewater activities and a renowned trout fishery below the dam. All of this is regulated by a Water Appropriations Permit which is issued by the State of Maryland to Brookfield Renewable., The Deep Creek Lake power plant continues to support hydroelectric power generation while contributing to the recreational use of the lake’s waters.