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- Reclamation to Perform Test at Folsom Dam Powerplant; Water Releases Will be Seen at Nimbus Dam
News Release Archive
Reclamation to Perform Test at Folsom Dam Powerplant; Water Releases Will be Seen at Nimbus Dam
Media Contact:
Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov
For Release: June 22, 2009
On Tuesday, June 23, 2009, from 6-10 a.m., the Bureau of Reclamation will shut down the Folsom and Nimbus Dams' Powerplants to perform a test. During that time, some 3,000 cubic feet per second of water that would typically flow through the Nimbus Powerplant will instead be released through the spillway and be visible to the public.
This "Black Start Test" meets annual reliability standards of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, National Electricity Regulatory Commission, and Western Electricity Coordinating Council. Reclamation will perform the test in cooperation with the Western Area Power Administration to verify that Folsom Dam's hydroelectric generators can start independently in the event of a system-wide blackout and then enable other power generators in the area to come back on line. Reclamation must completely disconnect both powerplants from the power grid, and water cannot flow through them during the test. Since water must continue to be released to the American River to meet downstream environmental and water supply needs, the water will flow through the Nimbus spillway and be seen by the public during those 4 hours.
The test will have no adverse effect on water deliveries or electrical supplies. For questions, please contact the Public Affairs Office at 916-978-5100 or e-mail lwirth@usbr.gov.
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.
