Alternative Energy

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Hydropower Feasibility Study

In FY2006, the Hoopa Valley Tribe received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to assess the feasibility of developing Hydro-power from several tributaries that flow into the Trinity River. This project is being coordinated by the Hoopa Tribal EPA (TEPA).

The topography varies from a long alluvial valley at 320 feet, to steep mountainous terrain up to 5,000 feet, which is characteristic of the balance of Reservation lands. There are 7 main Tributaries that flow through the Reservation including a number of smaller streams with watersheds less than 6,000 acres, most of which provide habitat for anadromous fish and are sources of domestic drinking water.

Stream flows very greatly with seasonal rains and size of watershed. Two of the largest tributaries range from late summer flows of 3-5 cubic feet/per second (CFS) up to 800-1100 CFS during the peak of the winter season.

The biggest issue facing the Tribes ambition to develop hydro power is the potential impact on anadromous fisheries. In normal rain years by late July to mid August stream flows naturally reduce to levels critical for maintaining flows for fishery spawning. Addressing this issue and identifying strategies to mitigate impacts to fisheries is integral to quantifying the annual water resources available for running hydropower systems. Therefore any development of hydropower systems will be planned with the intent in mind that all systems will be operated so that they can be shut off at some point in late summer in order to maintain critical stream flows for anadromous fish.

TEPA has already assessed potential sites within the Reservation that are suitable for Hydro-power development. TEPA has also incorporated stream flows, stream gradient, stage levels and rain fall into a data base used to quantify water resources available for Hydro-power development.

As part of the planning efforts, the Hoopa Tribe is seeking consultants who can utilize hydrologic information to model the most appropriate Hydro-power systems for the selected sites including water intake structures, pipelines, turbines, generators and the appropriate pluming and electrical hardware needed to develop the onsite utilities for selected streams. To view and or submit a bid for this RFP, go to the following link:

Click Here To Download the RFP

For Questions regarding this project contact Curtis Miller at the Tribal EPA cmiller@hoopa-nsn.gov