North Fork Powerhouse & Reservoir
1958 - Present
North Fork Hydroelectric Plant
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.
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.
58 MW
Net Capacity
November 1958 - present
Commercial operation
Clackamas River, four miles southeast (upstream) of Estacada
Location
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.
Additional Resources:
North Fork Fish Ladder
(Oregon Encyclopedia)
History of PGE
Electrifying Oregon
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition
History of PGE
Electrifying Oregon
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition