Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line

230kV Transmission

1965 - Present

In 1965, the Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line, connecting the Round Butte Switchyard near Madras to the Bethel Substation in Salem, was constructed as an integral element of the Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric project. This allowed the increased generation capacity on the Deschutes River to meet growing demand.

The line crosses Federal and State Forest lands, the Warm Springs Reservation, and other Federal and private lands along its 100-mile long corridor. In terms of its construction, the Bethel Round Butte line consists of three segments, two with wooden “H” frame poles and a central, steeper, section of steel latticework towers. The Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line was built 1962-1965 as part of PGE’s construction and development of the Round Butte Dam, an element of the Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project, operated under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission License No. 2030.

The Bethel-Round Butte Transmission line is a single circuit 230 kV line that carries electric power generated at PGE’s Round Butte Powerhouse to PGE load centers in the Willamette Valley. Today, the line remains an integral element of PGE’s transmission network, as we seek to expand its capacity to meet future needs.

Erecting H-Frame Structures on the Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line, 1963

Erecting Steel Towers on the Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line, 1963

The North Fork fish ladder is a 1.9-mile-long concrete canal about 8 feet wide with 4-5-foot-tall sidewalls. One of the longest operating fish ladders in the world, at various points there are trestles, monitoring and access stations, wire-mesh foot bridges and other support features. The 375-acre North Fork Reservoir was created in the main channel of the Clackamas River. On the eastern bank, the 16-acre Promontory Park opened in 1965 and included a marina, a small store, camping facilities with showers and restrooms, shelters, picnic tables and fireplaces.

The North Fork Dam was formally dedicated on June 28, 1959, with ceremonies, a tour of the powerhouse and the first Estacada Water Festival. The semi outdoor-type powerhouse is built of reinforced concrete and has two 34,500-hp hydraulic turbine generators. A 115,000-volt single circuit transmission line runs 2.8 miles to the switching station near Faraday and from there a 115,000-volt double circuit transmission line runs 14.7 miles to McLoughlin Substation near Oregon City.

Originally called Upper Dam because it is located upstream from Cazadero (Faraday), Portland Railway Light & Power Company’s first power site, it was renamed North Fork due to its location on the north fork of the Clackamas River. In the winter of 1954, feasibility studies were initiated. Applications for state and federal licenses were made in 1956, but licensing was held up pending a solution for anticipated problems with fish. After reaching an agreement with the Oregon Fish & Game Commission, construction on the North Fork Project began in October 1956. In November 1958, the first generating unit became operational with the second following in December. The largest of the four hydro plants in PGE’s Clackamas system, is operated by remote control from Faraday.

North Fork Hydroelectric Plant

North Fork Powerhouse & Reservoir

1958 - Present

Historic Photo- Camp 8, Looking North, February 1923 (PGE Archives)

Erecting H-Frame Structures on the Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line, 1963

History of PGE

Electrifying Oregon

Powering Progress

A Thoughtful Transition

History of PGE

Electrifying Oregon

Powering Progress

A Thoughtful Transition

Forever Evolving

Powering the Future

A Thoughtful Transition

Clackamas Project Expansion

Building Reliable Power Plants

Powering Progress

Willamette Falls

Clackamas River Construction

Electrifying Oregon

History of PGE

Electrifying Oregon

Powering Progress

A Thoughtful Transition