T.W. Sullivan Powerhouse
In 1995, Hydro Review Magazine made the T.W. Sullivan Plant the first-ever inductee into its “Hydro Hall of Fame.”
The Low Impact Hydropower Institute Board certified the Willamette Falls Project in 2008 as low impact, renewing its certification in 2012. This designation is based on PGE’s extensive fish protection efforts, including installation of a second fish bypass system at the Sullivan plant and construction of the flow control structure at the apex of Willamette Falls.
Originally called Station B, on June 29, 1953, after extensive modernization, it was renamed the T.W. Sullivan Plant in honor of Thomas William Sullivan, PGE’s Chief Engineer. George E. Sullivan, T.W.’s second-oldest child and then senior vice-president of PGE, was master of ceremonies at the dedication event. T.W. Sullivan designed the Willamette Falls Locks, Station A and Station B and was later was involved with the construction of Faraday, River Mill and Bull Run. He was on the PGE payroll until his death in 1940.
In 2008, PGE completed a flow control structure at the most upstream point of Willamette Falls and a bypass chute (basically a water slide). Flows entering the plant are managed so fish within the water column are guided past the turbine intakes and into the chute that directs them back into the Willamette River just downstream of the falls. Three inflatable rubber “gates” can be lowered to help fish avoid the rocks below by guiding them to the deep water at the base of the falls for safer passage. Eleven of the plant’s 13 turbines have also been replaced with highly efficient, fish-friendly turbines.
Originally called Station B, but after extensive modernization it was renamed the T.W. Sullivan Plant on June 29, 1953, in honor of Thomas William Sullivan (Portrait below), PGE’s Chief Engineer. George E. Sullivan, T.W.’s second-oldest child and then senior vice-president of PGE, was master of ceremonies at the dedication event. T.W. Sullivan designed the Willamette Falls Locks, Station A and Station B and was later involved with the construction of Faraday, River Mill and Bull Run facilities. He was on the PGE payroll until his death in 1940.
In 2008, PGE completed a flow control structure at the most upstream point of Willamette Falls and a bypass chute (basically a water slide). Flows entering the plant are managed so fish within the water column are guided past the turbine intakes and into the chute that directs them back into the Willamette River just downstream of the falls. Three inflatable rubber “gates” can be lowered to help fish avoid the rocks below by guiding them to the deep water at the base of the falls for safer passage. Eleven of the plant’s 13 turbines have also been replaced with highly efficient, fish-friendly turbines.
18 MW
Net Capacity
December 1895 - present
Commercial operation
Willamette River, West Linn
Location
1889-1897 (decommissioned)
Commercial operation
Willamette River, Oregon City
Location
Willamette Falls Powerhouse
Station A
1889-1897
1889-1897 (decommissioned)
Commercial operation
1895 - Present
Station B
History of PGE
Electrifying Oregon
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition
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
