Reno, NV: Three Hydropower Plants on Truckee River

Fleish Plant: (Satellite)

Fleish Source: (Satellite)

Verdi Plant: (Satellite)

Verdi Source: (Satellite)

Washoe: (I could not find this one)

I found Farad while looking for Washoe. A 1989 flood took it out of service. [TruckeeHistory] This was the first hydroelectric plant on the Truckee, and it was built in 1900. It had two turbines and generators and could produce 2.8mw. [SierraSun]

"Water for hydropower generation is diverted from the river well upstream of the actual hydropower plant and is transported in flumes or canals along the river at a slope much less than that of the natural river. The water is then piped to a turbine that is connected to an electric generator." [TMWA]

• Fleish: 1905, 2.5mw
• Verdi: 1911, 2.3mw
• Washoe: 1904, 1.9mw
• [brochure]

This is a reminder that it took a while to develop the thrust bearing design that supports a vertical shaft.

TMWA
These three plants are owned by the Truckee Meadows Water Authority and were built in the early 1900s. They are run-of-the-river and collectively produce an average of 6.7mw.
TMWA generates almost enough power to run their water treatment and pumping plants.

TMWA-record
They sell the electricity to NV Energy for 7 cents per kwh. The plants were originally built to supply electricity to the Virginia City mining industry.

TMWS-green
Fleish

ThisIsReno

Jeffrey Riche posted
1920s era hydro turbine still operational. Verdi, NV, USA
Dennis DeBruler: This 2.3mw plant went online in 1911.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.5238892,-119.9806649,77m/data=!3m1!1e3
https://tmwa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Topics-Hydro-20211115.pdf

Jeffrey Riche commented on Dennis' comment
That is correct. There were four plants built during that time along the Truckee river. Here is a photo of the now decommissioned Farad site, east of Verdi. Wood piping still intact!

Gregg Max posted
Verdi Hydro near Reno NV.
Built 1911 still on line.

Jeffrey Riche commented on Gregg's post
Is this plant operated by TMWA or NVE? How many of the plants along the truckee are still in operation?
How do you get hired on to work at one of these? I've looked into it but never found any info on them. Would be a sweet gig.
Gregg Max: Jeffrey Riche operated by tmwa, power goes into nve grid. I believe tmwa has 3 hydro, making about 6 MW total. If you're in the area they offer tours. I don't know about employment, check their website. It's a very small staff.