Bear Swamp Generating Station
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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- This article is about a power station. For the adjacent reservation see Bear Swamp.
Bear Swamp Generating Station is a pumped-storage hydroelectric underground power station that straddles the Deerfield River in Rowe and Florida, Massachusetts. It is one of many hydroelectric facilities along the river, giving that waterway the nickname of "the hardest working river in the county".[1]
The reservoir covers 8,800 acres at an elevation of 1,600 feet above sea level. To move the huge volumes of water in both directions, Bear Swamp uses waterwheels similar to the old Francis-style waterwheels, not the newer Pelton wheels.
New England Power Company developed Bear Swamp to meet the expanded peak load periods when New England's electricity consumers place the heaviest demand on the system. Construction started in 1968 and was completed in 1974. The station can produce about 600 megawatts of power.
An underground visitor' center provides an automated slide show and other information about the history of the project and its site. A local parkland, also known as Bear Swamp, offers many recreational opportunities. More than 60,000 guests visit this location each year.[2]
[edit] References
[edit] External Links
http://www.emera.com/ Bear Swamp Fact Sheet
- Maps and aerial photos
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- Topographic map from TopoZone
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