Hydroelectric Initiatives
On December 14, 2001 HG&E took possession of the hydroelectric assets previously held by the Holyoke Water Power Company division of Northeast Utilities. Among these assets are the Hadley Falls Dam, Holyoke Canal System, and numerous hydroelectric generating units. Click below to learn more about our hydroelectric division.
Energy Output
New Rubber Dam Crest
Environmental Improvements

Energy Output
The 50 megawatts of energy output from these hydropower assets equals over 50% of the energy used by HG&E’s customers.
Click here to view a table showing the capacity of each unit from our 2008 Annual Report. (requires Adobe Acrobat, opens in a new window)

New Rubber Dam Crest
HG&E, in cooperation with Northeast Utilities, oversaw the installation of a new rubber dam crest at the Hadley Falls facility during the Summer of 2001.

This new inflatable crest allows more precise control of the water levels upstream of the dam. The new crest, replacing one originally constructed in 1900; contains 22.6 tons of reinforcing steel, 600 cubic yards of concrete, over 1 mile of air piping, 1500 steel tie-down bolts, and a unique low-pressure inflatable bladder.
Click here to view a short presentation showing the construction of the new rubber dam crest. (requires Adobe Acrobat, opens in a new window)

Environmental Improvements
Since acquiring these hydroelectric facilities in 2001, HG&E has continued to make environmental enhancements including:

- Modification of the Canal System “Full Depth Louvers” to allow for increased passage of downstream migrating fish species.

- Installed a concrete weir in the 1st level canal to provide protection of endangered mussel populations during canal maintenance draw downs

- A reconstruction of the fishlift facility at Hadley Falls, greatly increasing the capacity to lift shad and other anadromous fish species over the Holyoke Dam