HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Atka Chuniixsax Creek Hydro Summary - 2013 - REF Grant 2195376ATKA HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROJECT COMPLETED
The City of Atka recently completed construction of the Chuniixsax
Creek hydro-electric project. The new plant is expected to provide
up to 283 kW of renewable energy to the community for nine to ten
months of each year. The hydro-electric plant will meet residential
and public facility needs and will supply a portion of energy needed
by Atka Pride Seafoods.
The City of Atka has been working on development of this project
since 1997. Construction was started in 2004 by the Alaska Energy Authority with the building of a power
house and trail to the site. AEA halted construction in 2006 due to funding. The City of Atka acquired the
additional funding needed to complete the project and construction resumed in 2010.
The construction of the 12.5 feet high
concrete dam and 952 feet of penstock were
undertaken by the City of Atka acting as the
prime contractor. Local labor was
supplemented by imported personnel
possessing special skills in the construction of
this project. The project encountered the
typical difficulties that occur with any project
done in Atka including extreme weather
conditions, logistics, and competition for use
of available equipment.
The cost of construction of this project is $5 million. Sources of funding include: Denali Commission, USDOE
Rural Utility Services, Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Community Development Association, USDOC Economic
Development Administration, Alaska Energy Authority Renewable Energy Fund, Alaska Industrial Export
Authority Loan Fund, and the City of Atka.
The Chuniixsax Creek Hydro project was designed by
Earle Ausman and Michael Dahl of PolarConsult Alaska.
Marsh Creek provided City staff with some construction
management assistance. Special thanks goes to Atka
Pride Seafoods, State of Alaska Village Safewater, and
CE2 Engineering for their support and assistance during
the project.
A dedication ceremony will be held in Atka during spring
2013 for the hydro project and a newly completed
water treatment facility.
Photographs by Michael Dahl
City of Atka
City Office: PO Box 47070 * Atka, Alaska 99547 * Phone: 907-839-2233 * Fax: 907-839-2234
Administrator: 721 Sesame Street 2C * Anchorage, Alaska 99503 * Phone: 907-522-0384 * Fax: 907-522-0385