Koma Kulshan Project

Koma Kulshan Hydroelectric Project
Image of project on Mount Baker as seen from space: red dot is powerhouse, green dot is dam(s). Bellingham on the upper left side of frame, Lake Shannon on lower right.
Location of Koma Kulshan Hydroelectric Project in Washington (state)
Official nameKoma Kulshan Project
CountryUnited States
LocationMount Baker National Forest in Whatcom County, Washington
Coordinates48°40′49″N 121°43′24″W / 48.6802°N 121.7233°W / 48.6802; -121.7233
PurposeHydroelectricity
StatusOperational
Construction began1989
Opening dateOctober 1990
Owner(s)Covanta Energy and Atlantic Power
Operator(s)Puget Sound Energy
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsSulphur Creek, Rocky Creek
HeightRocky Creek Dam: 32 feet (9.8 m)
Sulphur Creek Dam: 37 feet (11 m)
LengthRocky Creek Dam: 18 feet (5.5 m)
Sulphur Creek Dam: 15 feet (4.6 m)
Koma Kulshan powerhouse
Coordinates48°40′49″N 121°43′24″W / 48.6802°N 121.7233°W / 48.6802; -121.7233
Operator(s)Puget Sound Energy
Commission date1990
TypeRun-of-the-river
Hydraulic headc. 1,600 ft (490 m)
Turbines1 x Sulzer Escher Wyss Pelton wheel
Installed capacity13.3 MW @ maximum flow 120 cu ft/s (3.4 m3/s)
Capacity factor38.6% (2009-2010)
Annual generation45,000,000 kWh (10/1/2009–9/30/2010)
Website
www.atlanticpower.com/koma-kulshan

The Koma Kulshan Project is a 13.3 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation facility on the slopes of Mount Baker, a stratovolcano in Washington state's North Cascades. The project commenced commercial operation in October 1990, and is owned by a Covanta EnergyAtlantic Power joint venture. It supplies Puget Sound Energy via a Power Supply Agreement (PSA) contract. Its single turbine is a Pelton wheel supplied by Sulzer Escher Wyss.

Located in the Mount Baker National Forest, it is one of six Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)-licensed small hydro installations on Federal Government land in Washington state.

Koma Kulshan is the name of Mount Baker in the Lummi dialect.:241