Hydroelectric Power

James W. Broderick Hydropower Plant

Pueblo, Colorado

The Southeastern District has finished construction of the James W. Broderick Hydropower Plant at Pueblo Dam, and commercial operations began on May 28, 2019. The plant provides the District’s Enterprise Activity with a new revenue stream. The plant is the first hydroelectric feature added to the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project since the completion of the Mount Elbert pump-back hydroelectric plant at Twin Lakes in 1981.

Project History 

Hydroelectric power is generated by falling water flowing  through turbines. No water is consumed during the generation of electricity. The Broderick plant connects to the Municipal Service Line constructed by Colorado Springs Utilities for the Southern Delivery System at the North Outlet Works. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation now owns the Municipal Service Line. Reclamation granted the District a Lease of Power Privilege in 2017, following a planning and permit process that began in 2011. Colorado Springs Utilities and the Pueblo Board of Water Works were originally partners, but the project is being solely undertaken by the District.                                                   

Project Description 

The 7.5 megawatt (MW) facility will be able to generate electricity at flows ranging from 35-810 cubic feet per second. Three turbines and two generators use the Dam’s authorized releases to the Arkansas River to generate an annual average 28 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of power, and approximately $1,500,000 in average revenue per year. The project’s total capital cost is $20.2 million, which includes a $17.2 million loan from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Revenues from the hydro plant will repay the District’s Enterprise Activity and the CWCB.

Project Use

The City of Fountain and by Colorado Springs Utilities (for use at Fort Carson) will purchase the power generated. After 10 years, Fountain will purchase all of the power generated by the plant for the following 20 years. These utilities are looking for ways to broaden their energy portfolios to include clean, renewable energy. Energy costs for Fountain, which purchases all of its power, will actually be reduced. 

Revenues from the Broderick plant will fund projects and programs of the Enterprise Activity, once debt repayment and other obligations are met.

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For More Information Contact: 

Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District
31717 United Avenue
Pueblo, CO  81001
Phone: 719-948-2400
email: kevin@secwcd.com