California hydropower plant may shut down due to low water level

• 3 years ago (2021-06-18)
• David Flin

Hydropower 131 North America 1021

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The Edward Hyatt Power Plant at Lake Oroville, California, USA may have to shut down for the first time in 50 years as water levels in the area continue to fall.

Officials at the plant said the ongoing drought in western USA as well as high temperatures have severely depleted the water levels. If the water level continues to drop, the plant may have to shut down, possibly during peak wildfire season.

Liza Whitmore, Public Information Officer for the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) said: “If lake levels fall, DWR will, for the first time, cease generation at the Hyatt power plant due to a lack of sufficient water to turn the plant’s electrical generation turbines.”

CNN reports that California residents have been asked to reduce their power usage, particularly in the evenings, to avoid rolling blackouts and damaged power lines.

Earlier this month, Utah Governor Spencer Cox asked residents to join him in a “weekend of prayer” for rain amid the ongoing drought. He said: “By praying collaboratively and collectively, asking God or whatever higher power you believe in for more rain, we may be able to escape the deadliest aspects of the continuing drought.”