About the Project

Proposed Development

Although many variations have been studied, the basic concept that appears to best balance economic and environmental considerations entails the interbasin transfer of water from Chakachamna Lake by way of a 10-mile hard-rock tunnel to an underground powerhouse that would discharge to the McArthur River. While no dam or earthworks are proposed, a fish bypass facility will be required to ensure downstream passage of fish over a range of operating conditions. Minimum stream flows will be maintained in the Chakachatna River below the lake; and adult salmonids will be able to pass back upstream without impediments. Click here for additional information on the proposed operations and the fish bypass facility.

The total head would be approximately 1,000 feet, and the powerhouse elevation would be near sea level.It is estimated that the project could produce roughly 1.6 gigawatt hours (GWH) average annual energy from an installed capacity of 330 MW.

Chakachamna Lake is roughly 15 miles long and is a result of deposits from the advance of the Barrier Glacier that flows down the southwest slope of Mount Spurr.

There is presently no road access to either of the construction sites, and most of the land is owned by the State of Alaska.The project sits on the backside of Mount Spurr, in an area that has gained recent attention for its geothermal potential. There may be potential to develop both projects and realize some cost savings/operational benefits through the two project system.

The streams of both the Chakachamna and McArthur drainage basins support five species of salmon as well as other resident freshwater fish. Bear, moose, wolves, lynx, coyote, and other furbearers and avian wildlife inhabit the area.

Tyonek is the nearest community to the site and is located 38 miles distant on the west Cook Inlet coast. Extensive subbituminous coal deposits in the general Beluga area are being actively considered for export.