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Home My WebLink AboutRam Creek Hydro Potential at King Cove 1980rr i ; ", i l ( I ; . : L KIC 001 RECJ:JYEQ MAR 041980 JJ.ASr.A. ~ AIIT1.II"\",. -~'~TY RAM CREEK HYDRO POTENTIAL AT KING COVE FOR '. ALASKA POWERAUTHORlfY PROPE\i1'l .O\!~ . Alaska power !\uthodW 334 W . 5th Ave • .. AnchOrage,'J\laSka gti1IIl .. '~ . ',BY'" .,,' R. W. RETHERFORtl A . INTERHATIONAl":eNGIb~ . SSOCIATE$· . . ' .~ERING CO., INC. MARCH 1980 - J I I I l I I I I \' , I'" '. II APA18/E Report to: Subject: Date: Weather: Alaska Power Authority Ram Creek Hydro Potential at King Cove February 22, 1980 Partly cloudy Gusty winds Temperature @ 8:00 A.M. 10°F Ram Creek discharges in a westerly direction into King Cove approxi- mately 1.5 miles southeast of the Village of King Cove at Latitude 55°02'36" north and Longitude 162°18' west. (Photo #1). The stream branches at approximate stream mile 1.0 with one branch from the north and a larger branch to the east. (Photo #2). The north fork has considerably more ground relief than the east fork thus making it more conducive to hydroelectric development. The village of King Cove and the Peter Pan Cannery receives their potable water from the north fork of Ram Creek. A structural steel dam, (Photos 3, 4, and 5) approximately 12-foot in height was constructed by the Public Health Service at about elevation 165 to provide a small reservoir (Photo #6) and diversion structure. Presently a 10-inch diameter waterline runs from the dam to the village. In a conversation with Mr. Pawluk, design engineer for the Public Health Service, it was learned that the P.H.S. has contracted for 23 additional new homes to be built in King Cove in 1980 and a second water main from the dam. The new main will be 14-inch in di ameter. Mr. Pawl uk was vel')' concerned about the watershed yi e 1 di ng suff·j ci ent fl o\'!s to meet potable water demands. A fl ow of about ~ cfs was spilling ovel' the dam (Photo #5) on February 22, 1980. -1- • • .. .. ".'," II I J I •...... .. I I I APA18/E Since the future potable water needs of the community appears to exceed the yield from the watershed, it would not be prudent to consider hydroelectric development on the north fork of Ram Creek. Also, the site would not be suitable for a pressure reducing turbine in the water main as the static pressure in the village is only about 60 psi. which is not excessive for fire protection. The east fork does offer some potential for hydroelectric power production, however, it was reported to support a heavy salmon run. Thi s was. very much in evi dence from the 1 arge number of salmon bones found along the stream banks. The east fork flows are considerably greater than the north fork with 10 cfs flowing on February 22, 1980 at elevation 200. (Photo #7). Maximum development would produce about 125 kW of average power. A storage reservoir would not be feasible because of the broad valley and unknown depth of talus and all uvi a 1 deposits. Development would require a diversion structure, about 11,000 feet of 24-;nch di ameter penstock, a powerhouse contai ni ng two 125 kW turbi ne- generator units and approximately two miles of transmission line. The Mayor of King Cove, Mr. Alex Samuelson, expressed the possibility of strong resistance to any development on the east fork. Although not recommended for construction by the writer, a construc- tion cost estimate for the east fork is summarized below. These are rough reconnaissance estimates, and are likely to change somewhat upon further analysis. Additional investigations should be conducted in the areas of hydrology, geology, surveying, f'ish mitigation, power needs and environmental concerns. -2- J J I I I Ii I I I I I I I APA18/E ITEM Mob and Demob Construction Access Road Diversion Structure COST ESTIMATE Penstock (24 11 dia.) 11,000 ft. Pre-packaged turbi nes, generators, etc. (2-125 k\v) Transmission Line (2 miles) Subtotal Contingencies (20%) Engineering Supervision & Administration (16%) Total COST $500,000 75,000 75,000 2,090,000 400,000 40,000 3,250,000 650,000 3,900,000 624,000 $4,524,000 The above investment represents a total capital cost of $18,096 per kW of installed capacity. A power potential may exist in the tidal race between King Cove and Ki ng Cove Lagoon. (Photo #8). Such deve 1 opment may be the installation of an undershot paddle wheel in the tidal race that would be connected to drive a pump during tidal changes. \oJater would be pumped to a storage tank at a suitable elevation on the adjacent steep slope and withdrawn as needed for power production from a conventional hydroelectric turbine driven· unit. No potential capacity or cost estimates have been made, however, a brief analysis would show whether or not further consideration is advisable. Respectfully submitted, Carl H. Steeby Principal Civil Engineer RWRA -lECO Acknowledgements: King Cove ~layor, Mr. Alex Samuelson Peter Pan Cannery at King Cove -3- APA18/E I PHOTO NO. 1 Northwesterly v'iew of King Cove Village. Taken from road to Ram Creek. PHOTO NO. 2 Westerly view of Ram Creek Valley . Junction of North and Eas t Fork in 1 eft center. Photo taken at approximately elevation 200 and about 2 miles from tidewater. -4- c APA18/E I PHOTO NO. 3 Distant view of dam on North Fork of Ram Creek. Source of potable water for village and Peter Pan Cannery. PHOTO NO. 4 Close-up view of dam on North Fork of Ram Creek. -5- APA18/E I PHOTO NO. 5 Crest vi ew of dam on North Fork Creek. Reservoir Elevation 161±. February 22, 1980 was about ~ cfs. PHOTO NO. 6 of Ram Spill on Ram Creek forebay reservoir. Surface area of about 0.2 acre . -6- APAI8/E PHOTO NO. 7 East Fork of Ram Creek at approximate elevation 200. Flow on February 22, 1980 was 10 cfs. PHOTO NO. 8 Tidal Race between King Cove and King Cove Lagoon. 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