June/July 1983 RAIN Page 29 Unfortunately, last fall a log damaged the water wheel, but the Roys hope to complete repairs on the system this summer. (Thomas and Amy Roy, Rt. 1, Box 31-Bl, Philomath, OR 97370). '"fr. ■■ Wolf Run Co-op Study The Wolf Run Irrigation Cooperative, Inc., supplies irrigation and domestic water to 16 families of the Wolf Run community near Dufur, Oregon, and to a nearby Boy Scout camp. In 1980, the Co-op received a grant from the USDOE to study the feasibility of either installing hydroelectric units on the existing open ditch irrigation system or converting the open ditch system to a closed pressurized sprinkler system. The study focused on the feasibility of converting most of the present open system to a buried pipe system. The model used in the study called for transportation of water in the ditch through 13.5 miles of pipeline. The pressure head acquired in the upper reaches of the system would be used to generate electricity to irrigate 416 acres during the dry summer months. Water discharged at the lower end would generate power during the rest of the year. In addition to providing electricity, this method would make water available to the Co-op, since less water would be lost to seepage, vandalism, and evaporation. (Losses today are estimated at about 50 percent). Initial findings of the study revealed that the Wolf Run Co-op has the natural resources to produce a pressurized sprinkling system as well as to generated electricity. The Co-op has sufficient resources to produce 825kW of electrical power and an average of 3 million kWh of electrical energy. Although large amounts of electrical energy can be produced, the cost of construction ($3.4 million) and high interest rates (12.5%) make the primary project and alternatives infeasible at this time. However, if the cost of power increases from 50 to 100 mills per kWh, and if financing could be obtained at six percent, the project would be feasible. Co-op members hope to develop the system and are currently searching for low-interest loans or grants to finance construction. (Wolf Run Irrigation, Inc., Rt. 1, PO Box 192, Dufur, OR 97021). Micro-Hydro for Public Utility One of the goals of the Emerald People's Utility District (EPUD), located southeast of Eugene in Pleasant Hill, is to encourage the development of renewable energy projects in order to promote self-reliance on the part of their customers. In August of 1980, EPUD was awarded a USDOE grant to survey potential micro-hydro generation sites in or near the EPUD service area. The geography of the area shows a very high potential for hydropower development. Most of the moisture falls in winter, below the snowfall elevation and creates high stream flows in the hilly areas in or near Emerald's service district. This coincides with periods of high energy usage. The survey identified 24 potential micro-hydro sites which could be developed economically with minimal environmental impact and also recommended the type of equipment which would be best suited to the area. The next step in the process involves field verification of the sites, since, typically, about 80 percent of the sites identified on paper cannot be developed. The development of the hydro at the best sites would supply economical peaking power to an area in which shortages are predicted in the next several years. At present, the EPUD has put hydro projects "on the back burner" until they have the time and money to develop the sites. (EPUD, 84899 Tillicum Ave., Ste. 9, Pleasant Hill, OR 97401). Small-Scale Hydro for Small-Scale City The city of Drain, south of Eugene, receives its water supply from Allen and Bear Creeks. Its primary supply comes from Bear Creek Dam, a 60-foot high, 100-million gallon storage reservoir, located about 900 feet above sea level. The water flows from the dam outlet through an open channel to a diversion structure where it enters a pipe that carries it to the city's water treatment plant, located about 400 feet above sea level. Curious about the potential of hydropower develoi>- ment inherent in its water system, the City of Drain applied for, and was awarded a USDOE grant to support a feasibility study. In August 1981, the City contracted with an engineering firm in Corvallis to analyze the feasibility of various hydropower systems at Bear Creek Dam and at the City's water treatment plant. The study showed that hydropower generation using the City's water supply system would not be feasible unless the City were to spend more than a quarter of a million dollars on new pipes. The City, therefore, decided not to proceed, but may reconsider hydropower generation when its water supply pipes need to be replaced. (Robert Gray, City of Drain, PO Box 158, Drain, OR 97435).
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