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Northwest hydro generation ends water year 2019 below average

Hydropower generation in the Pacific Northwest remained lower than historical norms in September, which marked the end of the water year that began Oct. 1, 2018.

Data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shows that total net generation at 23 hydroelectric plants across the Pacific Northwest in September was 8.4% lower than the year-ago level and 12.4% below the 10-year average as it reached 3.66 million MWh. That figure is down 19.9% from August.

Lower hydropower output in September occurred even as monthly precipitation across the Columbia River Basin was near to well above average, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Regional temperatures for the month spanned near normal to six degrees Fahrenheit below normal along much of the western portion.

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In the upper Columbia River Basin, the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest of the region, generated 891,699 MWh, down 18.1% versus the year-ago month and down 21.3% versus the 10-year average for the month. The Chief Joseph Dam generated 497,429 MWh, down 17.4% versus September 2018 and down 20.1% versus the 10-year average.

September flows in the Lower Columbia River Basin were also lower versus the year-ago period. Located on the Washington-Oregon border, the Bonneville Dam produced 285,965 MWh, down 4.2% versus September 2018 and 11.0% lower versus the 10-year average for the month. The Dalles Dam, 50 miles downstream, produced 349,872 MWh, down 7.3% from the year-ago month and down 11.0% from the 10-year average for September.

Calendar year-to-date hydropower production through September totaled 49.42 million MWh, down 21.6% versus the year-ago level and down 16.7% from the 10-year average for the period.

SNL Image