Projects Hydropower

Leamington Canyon Hydropower

Franson Civil Engineers was retained by Leota Enterprises to perform preliminary feasibility and sizing studies for a hydropower project in Leamington Canyon, Utah. The feasibility study looked at the hydrologic, hydraulic, and cost analysis of a hydropower project diverting water from the Sevier River into an existing canal and reintroducing it back to the river downstream while producing hydroelectric power.

• Determined preliminary economic sizing of the hydropower plant to determine cost-effectiveness
• Investigated sizes ranging from 1.3 to 3.9 Mw of capacity
• Investigated power marketing with various entities in Utah
• Explored option of blending natural gas power generation with hydropower to firm up the capacity of the project
• Prepared, submitted, and obtained a preliminary FERC permit for the project site
• Conducted further discussions to market the power
• Completed and obtained permits through the Division of Air Quality for the natural gas turbine
• Conducted discussions with Central Utah Canal Company for canal enlargement and use of the canal to convey the water
• Designed the diversion structure to deliver water to the powerplant, penstocks, and all electrical facilities