As well as receiving an Award of Merit from the Engineering News-Record Mid-Atlantic in 2024, the project was also named as the Association of State Dam Safety Officials’ National Rehabilitation Project of the Year. The factors which led to its wining status include: Resourcefulness in planning and permitting. Achieving a successful resolution to the challenges encountered.


Pioneering efforts in the use of construction procedures.


Innovations in design methods or project operations. Conservative and reliable design that is consistent with the standards of care in the field of dam safety.


The project is described as exemplifying a collaborative spirit and forward thinking. JT Hand, President and CEO of York Water, praised the collaboration between his company, Gannet Flemming, and Kinsley Construction. He said Gannett Fleming not only brought “the technical acumen but an appreciation for what a dam owner means when a dam owner sets a vision and intent in restoring historic structures”. Kinsley Construction was also applauded for its resourcefulness, competency, and craftsmanship.


Big Beautiful Bill The final version of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act was


signed into law on 4 July and has been described as a lifesaver for the US hydropower sector. The initial bill posed a direct threat to continued hydropower growth with its proposed rollbacks on tax credits, rendering them practically unusable for hydropower. In response, the National Hydropower Association


(NHA) launched a coordinated advocacy campaign, mobilising industry voices to make sure the case for hydropower was heard. Thanks to such efforts, the act now guarantees


both production and investment tax credits remain in effect for conventional hydropower, pumped storage, and marine energy until 2033, which should spur investment in both rehabilitation and new development work in water power. NHA President and CEO, Malcolm Woolf, applauded


Congress for leveraging the One Big, Beautiful Bill to revitalise the US’ hydropower fleet. “The Senate passed One Big, Beautiful Bill recognises the essential role hydropower plays in delivering around-the-clock, baseload electricity that keeps the grid reliable, clean, and affordable,” he said. “With approximately 40% of the existing US hydropower fleet facing licence expiration, federal tax credits are critical toward repowering the existing fleet while also enabling new hydropower development at existing dam sites, new pumped storage, and marine energy. “We thank our many Senate champions for fighting


to preserve and expand the nation’s hydropower fleet, which provides electricity to roughly 25 million American homes and businesses every day.”


Canadian wildfire In Canada, Manitoba Hydro has been working hard


to ensure the safety of its employees, residents, and firefighters as some of the worst wildfires for over 30 years spread across northern and eastern parts of the province.


When wildfires threatened to cut off road access to the Pointe du Bois and Slave Falls generating stations on the Winnipeg River, remaining staff at both stations were evacuated on 14 May. Left in a safe state with generating units shut down and water passing through the spillways, the utility says this resulted in the loss of about 70MW of generating capacity. However, customers were not affected as other Manitoba Hydro facilities were able to compensate for the loss of power. A spokesperson for Manitoba Hydro reiterated that safety is the top priority and most employees at these facilities had been evacuated earlier in the week as a precaution. Only half a dozen staff remained when the stations were shut down. To reduce the risk for firefighters, Manitoba Hydro


crews also had to de-energise lines in the wildfire area. Service to some customers in fire-impacted areas was lost due to damage to Hydro’s poles, lines and other equipment. More than 1500 customers were left without power. Before being able to restore power, Manitoba


Hydro crews had to wait until they were able to safely access areas with significant damage, with the utility warning the extent of the damage will take a while to be assessed and may require complex repairs. The developing wildfire situation was monitored by Manitoba Hydro who patrolled lines by air to inspect for damage. “The safety of our employees and the public


remains our top priority,” Allan Danroth, Manitoba Hydro’s President and CEO said on 30 May. “We are working closely with the Manitoba Wildfire Service, the Office of the Fire Commissioner and RCMP to ensure we’re not putting any of our restoration crews or emergency response teams in unsafe situations,” he added. “We appreciate the support and patience of our customers as we wait to safely access affected areas to assess damage to our infrastructure and begin our restoration work.” All Manitoba Hydro employees are reported to have safely left areas under evacuation orders, which also included the Jenpeg Generating Station. As the facility was undergoing maintenance and not generating electricity at the time, the evacuation didn’t have any effect on customers. To improve the safety and reliability of its electrical


system Manitoba Hydro has also been stepping up tree trimming and vegetation management activities. While the utility has always worked to keep trees and brush away from its infrastructure, it has enhanced its work this year. In addition to trimming trees near power lines, the utility has used heavy machinery to clear brush around its infrastructure in rural areas, and herbicides to prevent growth of specific vegetation. Both of these are critical for protecting equipment and facilities from wildfire.


Fish passage census The first national-scale census of fish passage at US


hydropower developments in over 30 years has been carried out. With most passage facilities located in New England, the Pacific Northwest, Mid Atlantic, and Great Lakes regions, it was discovered that most hydropower features with fish passage only have one facility which is typically unidirectional, with bypasses and fish ladders the most common types of passage facilities.


www.waterpowermagazine.com | September 2025 | 15


Above: More than 4700 workers worked on the Shasta Dam project from 1938-45 (Photo by USBR)


Below: Acting Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, David Palumbo, speaks at the Shasta Dam’s 80th celebration in June 2025 (Photo by USBR)


Above: Lake Williams Dam in York, Pennsylvania


Below: Top view of Lake Williams Dam


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