History
The project is essentially an irrigation project with production of power limited to the capacity of the plant during the irrigation season. Maintenance is normally performed during the winter season when water flows are low. Since 1958, the powerplant has been operated and maintained by a contract with the Provo River Water Users Association.
Construction of the project was initiated under the provisions of the National Industrial Recovery Act of June 16, 1933. The President approved the Provo River Project on November 16, 1935, under the terms of subsection B of section 4 of the Act of December 5, 1942 (43 Stat. 701). The President approved the Salt Lake Aqueduct on October 24, 1938. The Secretary of the Interior authorized the Deer Creek Powerplant on August 20, 1951, under the Reclamation Project Act of 1939.
The Provo River Project provides a supplemental water supply for irrigation of 48,156 acres of highly developed farmlands in Utah, Salt Lake, and Wasatch Counties. The key structure of the project, Deer Creek Dam, is located on the Provo River east of the project lands.
Plan
The powerplant provides replacement energy for energy lost at other non-government plants through the storage and diversion of water for irrigation during the winter storage season. The powerplant provides revenues during the summer irrigation season for operation, maintenance, and replacement costs and for irrigation project repayment purposes. When power is not used for replacement purposes, it is marketed to two preference power entities. The Deer Creek Powerplant was constructed on the substructure provided during the construction of Deer Creek Dam. Deer Creek is a zoned earthfill dam 235 feet high and 35 feet wide at the crest. The crest is 1,304 feet long. The powerplant has two 2,475-kilowatt generators and was placed in operation in 1958. The project is essentially an irrigation project with production of power limited to the capacity of the plant during the irrigation season. Maintenance is normally performed during the winter season when water flows are low. Since 1958, the powerplant has been operated and maintained by a contract with the Provo River Water Users Association. An automatic greasing system was installed on both generating units to eliminate problems with lack of lubrication on important wicket gate linkages and bushings. This problem was discovered during recent overhauls of the units. The purchase of new digital control units for both generating units is planned for FY 2005 with installation planned for early FY 2006. Operation and maintenance of the powerplant is accomplished by contract with the Local Water Users. Cost for operations and maintenance includes all government and contract costs. As the plant is operated 24 hours a day, operation costs, though shared with the other water entities operating the dam, generally exceed the maintenance costs. Western Electricity Coordinating Council, Rocky Mountain Power Area Western Area Power Administration, Colorado River Storage Project Management Center Conventional Above Ground Francis 4,950 kW 4,950 kW 1958 49 years 23,712,770 kWh 2007 120 ft
