FERC Relicensing – Lake Clementine

The project is a 15 MW, 40 GWh run-of-river hydroelectric project located on the American River, at the North Fork Dam, north east of Auburn, CA.

The North Fork Dam abuts Lake Clementine which has a surface area of 280 acres and a capacity of 14,700 acre feet. Construction of the dam was started in 1937 and completed in 1939.

The dam is a constant angle arch type debris dam. It rises 155 feet above the lowest foundation and has a crest elevation of 715 feet above sea level. The crest length is 620 feet and the crown thickness varies from 22 feet at the base to 6.8 feet at the top.

The proposed project will refurbish part of the North Fork Dam to accommodate electricity generation and consists of 1) an intake with dimensions of approximately 21 feet wide and 64 feet high, 2) a 180-foot long, 14-foot-diameter penstock, 3) an 80-foot diameter silo-type powerhouse, 4) two 7.5 MW Francis turbines and associated generators, 5) two 16-foot-wide draft tube tunnels, 6) switchyard, 7) 2-foot high flashboards on the existing Lake Clementine spillway, 8) a 2-mile long
transmission line, and 9) appurtenant facilities. (Source: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-Clementine-Hydro/146755585377084?sk=info )

On October 2, 2009, America Renewables was awarded a preliminary permit by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Lake Clementine project. The Lake Clementine project is a 15 MW, 40 GWh annual average small hydroelectric project capable of providing approximately 5,000 households with electricity.

On August 30, 2010, America Renewables filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) and a Pre- Application Document (PAD) with FERC. The PAD and more information on the Lake Clementine project is available at the FERC website, www.ferc.gov

America Renewables will refurbish small part of an existing dam, the North Fork Dam, to generate electricity. The dam is located north east of Sacramento on the American River in Placer County, California. The North Fork Dam is a concrete arch dam and abuts Lake Clementine which has a surface area of 280 acres and a capacity of 14,700 acre feet. Construction of the dam was completed in 1939. (Source: http://www.americarenewables.com/projects )