Locating a new Hydroelectric Dam in Vermont

1
Locating a new Hydroelectric Dam in Vermont

• By Gerald Rogers
• and Bobby Rivard

2
Finding a location

• Our project focused on finding a new location for
  a hydroelectric dam in Vermont
• Dam would benefit Vermont state and local
  communities
• Dams use a renewable source of energy

3
Criteria

• River flow rate
• Current dams
• Population density
• Roads
• Trails
• Endangered species and deer wintering areas

4
Flow Rate

• Had to find a river big enough for a dam
• Checked on USGS website for current flow rates
• River had to have a flow rate of at least 250
  ft3/sec
• Placed dam down river from flow gauges

5
Dam Locations

• Other hyrdo dams in the area
• Dont want to compete for power
• 7 mile buffer around these dams
• Other dams on the river
• Dont want overcrowding
• Dont want to destroy the ecosystem
• 3 mile buffer around dams

6
Clipped Counties

• Clipped the counties that contained the rivers
• Franklin, Grand Isle, Washington, Windham,
  Windsor
• Will be used to clip all following data

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Population Density

• Wanted to build in low population density
• Wanted to be near higher population density

8
Roads

• Main Roads
• 1000 ft buffer
• Used for equipment
• Did not want to destroy roads with erosion

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Trails

• Hiking trails
• 100 ft buffer
• Can be a scenic outlook over the reservoir
• Did not want to flood the trails

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Endangered Species andDeer Wintering areas

• 1,000 ft buffers around endangered species
• 500 ft buffers around deer wintering areas
• Dont want to flood any of these areas
• Dont want to upset the endangered species

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2nd Location

• Located on the Missisquoi River in Highgate, VT
• Violates two main criteria
• Hydro buffer
• Endangered species
• Located within a second level population density

12
1st located area

• Built on the West River in Townshend, VT
• Violates the least amount of criteria
• Built in a low population density
• Neighboring second level population density

13
Conclusion and Recommendations

• Best location for the dam will be on the West
  River in Townshend, VT
• Satisfies our the criteria for the location
• Research the need for power sources in the area
• Research different soil types in the area
• Research how the addition of the dam will affect
  the local ecosystem