Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project
The Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project is a small, run-of-the-river hydroelectric facility in the Cascade Mountains of northern Washington state. The dam is on Newhalem Creek, one mile above the confluence with the Skagit River, and just above a 100-foot waterfall. When operational, the dam hydroelectric project generates 2.125 megawatts of power. Constructed in 1921 by the City of Seattle’s Lighting Department (as Seattle City Light was called at the time), it was the first hydroelectric facility in the Skagit River area.
The purpose of the project was to provide power for the construction of Gorge Dam and the adjacent company town of Newhalem. Today, the hydroelectric project remains the oldest one operating in the Skagit area and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 as part of an historic district.
Travel through time and learn more about the historic Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project.
Since 2010, the Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project has not been consistently in service and is currently not operational due to leaks in the power tunnel, maintenance needs at the headworks and powerhouse, and recurring landslides affecting dam access. As a result of these issues and the cost of relicensing, City Light filed a Surrender of License Application with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Jan. 28, 2022 to decommission the facility.
The FERC proceeding to decommission is underway, with nine coordinating parties including resource agencies, Tribes, and non-governmental organizations. Seattle City Light has proposed to remove the dam and other headwork components, seal the power tunnel, and retain the powerhouse and penstock for their important historic value. FERC is also evaluating an alternative plan to remove the powerhouse and penstock and return the land back to nature. An Order to Decommission, according to the selected plan, will ultimately be issued by FERC.
As more information becomes available on the next steps of the decommissioning process, it will be made available here.
City Light filed a Surrender of License Application with FERC on Jan. 28, 2022 to decommission the Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project. City Light’s decommissioning proposal included removing the diversion dam and associated headworks structures, tailrace fish barrier, and overhead transmission lines. The rock shaft and power tunnel would be sealed, and the access road would be decommissioned. The powerhouse and penstock would remain to be interpreted as historic resources.
The proposed action would restore the natural stream dynamics of Newhalem Creek, as well as wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and the pre-project cultural setting at the dam and tailrace. The proposed action protects the most visible and accessible historic properties, which are the penstock and powerhouse, and maintains or increases interpretive opportunities within the existing recreational corridor.
Documents related to the Surrender of License proceeding filed by FERC and Seattle City Light are provided below:
- April 28, 2021 - Notice of Intent to Surrender License
- Jan. 28, 2022 - Application for Surrender of License and Decommissioning Plan
- Feb. 11, 2022 - Application for Surrender of License Supplement
- April 29, 2022 - FERC’s Notice of Application for Surrender of License
- July 1, 2022 - City Light Response to Comments on FERC’s Notice of Application
- Aug. 29, 2022 - FERC Scoping Document 1
- Sept. 28, 2022 - City Light Response to Scoping Document 1
- Oct. 28, 2022 - FERC Request for Additional Information
- Dec. 12, 2022 - City Light Response to Request for Additional Information
- Nov. 4, 2022 - City Light Response to Intervenor Comments on Scoping Document 1
- Nov. 21, 2022 - FERC Solicitation of Comments to Consulting Tribes
- Feb. 10, 2023 - FERC Request for a Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Management Act Consistency Determination
- April 7, 2023 - City Light Response to FERC's request for a Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Management Act Consistency Determination
- Oct. 23, 2023 - City Light Files Decommissioning Geomorphology Considerations with FERC
- Jan. 30, 2024 - FERC Memo Revised NEPA Schedule for Surrender Application Review
- Jan. 30, 2024 - FERC Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment and Notice of Revised Schedule
- Feb. 13, 2024 - EPA Response to FERC's Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment and Notice of Revised Schedule
- Feb. 23, 2024 - FERC Surrender Application Review: Request for Status Update on Water Quality Certification and CZMA Consistency Review
- March 11, 2024 - City Light Response to FERC's Request for Status Update on Water Quality Certification and CZMA Consistency Review
- March 19, 2024 - Final Penstock Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis
- March 29, 2024 - FERC Environmental Assessment for Application to Surrender License
- March 29, 2024 - FERC Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment
Pre-Project
The Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project is located in the ancestral homelands of Tribes, Bands, and First Nations, including most notably the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Newhalem was an important village location and these Tribes, Bands, and First Nations have been caretakers of the lands around Newhalem Creek since time immemorial.
1917
Superintendent James Delmage “J.D.“ Ross, known as the “Father of Seattle City Light,” obtains permission on behalf of the City of Seattle from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to apply for a permit to develop a hydroelectric project on the Skagit River. The previous permit holder, having held it since 1912, let it expire without developing the site.
1918
In the summer of 1918, the City Engineer’s Office sends a hydrographer and assistant to the Skagit to determine the location of a temporary generating powerhouse for the construction camp and lumber mill. Newhalem Creek was ultimately selected.
1919
Construction of the Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project begins.
1920
To facilitate construction of the Newhalem Creek and Skagit River Hydroelectric Projects, City Light constructs its own railroad from Rockport, 23 miles upriver, to City Camp (later called Newhalem).
Seattle City Light obtains the hydroelectric permit for the Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project (NCHP) on Dec. 22, 1917 from the USDA, U.S. Forest Service, since it is on land within the Washington National Forest.
The Federal Power Commission (FPC) is created by the Federal Water Power Act of June 10, 1920. It begins issuing hydroelectric licenses in 1921.
1921
Construction is complete and the Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project begins producing power.
1924
The Washington National Forest is renamed the Mt. Baker National Forest.
The first general public tours of the Skagit are offered, consisting of one day excursions.
1927
The public tours expand to two days and include the soon to become memorable chicken dinner. These tours sought to promote public support for the development of Seattle City Light’s hydroelectric project.
1932
The first survey for a route for the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20) is conducted by highway engineer Ike Munson.
1937
The Newhalem Creek powerhouse is a destination for tourists. Following the well-known chicken dinner in Newhalem, tourists are led by guides over the Skagit River suspension bridge next to Gorge Inn, and along the Trail of Cedars to the powerhouse.
1939
The Skagit Truck Trail allows the first vehicles into the Newhalem area.
1942
The public tours are halted due to World War II.
1950
The project is semi-automated, allowing it to operate largely unmanned, except for manual start-up and shutdown.
1953
The public tours resume.
1954
Seattle City Light’s Skagit River Railroad serving the Skagit River and Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Projects is removed.
1966
A fire in July of 1966 destroys the original wood framed powerhouse. However, the original turbines and generator are saved by a burst water pipe, spraying water over them.
Articles
"Old Newhalem Plant Burns" - The Concrete Herald
"Fire Destroys Newhalem Power Plant" - The Seattle Times
1968
U.S. Forest Service land ownership is transferred to another federal agency, the National Park Service, for the creation of the North Cascades National Park. In the enabling legislation, Congress designates the area encompassing the Newhalem Creek and Skagit River Hydroelectric Projects as the Ross Lake National Recreation Area and includes a clause that reserves the Federal Power Commission’s jurisdiction over the hydroelectric projects.
Articles
"Cascade Park Bill Becomes Law" - The Concrete Herald
1969
The powerhouse is rebuilt using the original turbines and generator. The headworks (dam and gatehouse) and vehicular bridge over Newhalem Creek, providing access to the powerhouse, are also rebuilt, all having sustained damage from recent flooding.
Seattle City Light applies to the Federal Power Commission for a new hydroelectric license for the Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project.
1970
Powerhouse is back online after the 1966 fire with various project upgrades. The powerhouse is now fully automated, the first of the Skagit River Project’s generation facilities to undergo the process. Remote control of the newly operational powerhouse equipment is established at the Gorge Powerhouse.
1972
The North Cascades Highway officially opens on Sept. 2, 1972.
1975
The Federal Power Commission issues Seattle City Light a hydroelectric license - Project No. 2705 for the Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project.
1977
The Federal Power Commission is renamed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
1980
Significant seasonal flooding damages the project headworks.
1984
The headworks are rebuilt after seasonal flood damage.
1988
As part of the 1988 Washington Park Wilderness Act certain lands with the North Cascades National Park Complex are designated the Stephen Mather Wilderness Area. Congress reaffirms FERC’s jurisdiction over the existing hydroelectric projects in the North Cascades National Park Complex.
1992
Seattle City Light applies for a Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project license renewal with FERC.
1997
FERC issues a renewal of the Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project’s license #2705. Conditions of the new license include minimum flow requirements, annual gravel passage over the dam, a tailrace fish barrier, and a linking trail between the powerhouse and the Newhalem Creek Campground.
2000
The tailrace fish barrier is completed per a condition of the 1997 FERC license.
2010
The automatic gate controlling water intake at the dam stops functioning properly. The Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project ceases power production.
2015
The Goodell Creek Fire burns approximately 6,700 acres, sweeping through much of the old growth forest in the area and damaging the penstock and its timber saddles. The powerhouse is saved by continuous water sprayed from firetrucks.
2016
Deteriorating and fire-damaged timber penstock saddles are replaced with concrete saddles.
2020
City Light conducts an engineering analysis and concludes that the cost of relicensing the Project with necessary repairs and upgrades far exceeds the estimated future value of the Project.
2021
On April 28, 2021, City Light files a Notice of Intent with FERC to surrender the Project license and decommission the facility.
